The South African men’s hockey team sealed their place in the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations final in emphatic style, powering to an 11-3 victory over Ghana in Ismailia.
After a competitive and physical opening quarter, South Africa took control and delivered a statement performance worthy of defending champions.
The early exchanges saw South Africa win a penalty corner, with Mustapha Cassiem and Sam Mvimbi both testing the Ghanaian goalkeeper in quick succession. A heavy collision moments later saw Ghana’s Stephan Asamoah shown a yellow card, as the contest’s intensity rose sharply.
South Africa broke the deadlock when Keenan Horne was perfectly placed to finish after a deft deflection from Hans Neethling off Nic Spooner’s pass, giving the men in green and gold a 1–0 lead at the first break.
Ghana equalised early in the second quarter through Emmanuel Makaba, who converted a penalty stroke after the ball struck Sam Mvimbi on the line. But South Africa responded swiftly, with Dayaan Cassiem reacting first to a loose ball in the circle to restore the lead with a precise finish.
There was no shortage of drama as South Africa missed a chance to extend their advantage when Mustapha Cassiem sent a penalty stroke wide, but Sam Mvimbi made amends shortly after, converting another stroke to make it 3-1. Ghana, however, refused to fade and pulled one back through Benjamin Kwofie before half-time to keep the contest alive at 3-2.
The defending champions started the second half with intent. Zenani Kraai finished smartly from a superb Calvin Davis diagonal to restore the two-goal cushion, before Ryan Mann marked his first international goal to make it 5-2. From there, South Africa found their rhythm and put on a finishing masterclass, Dayaan Cassiem added a reverse-stick strike, Mustapha Cassiem fired home from a penalty corner, and Jaydon Brooker netted another set-piece to close out the third quarter with South Africa leading 8-2.
Debutant Brendan du Toit was introduced in the final quarter to earn his first international cap, while Sihle Ngubane fired home a crisp strike to bring up South Africa’s ninth. Ghana managed a consolation through Christopher Dogbe, but the South Africans were far from done. Keenan Horne added his second after excellent work from Dayaan Cassiem, and Hans Neethling rounded off the scoring with a neat finish amid a goalmouth scramble, completing an 11-3 rout.
The victory means South Africa and Egypt have officially qualified for the final, setting up yet another mouth-watering clash between the two continental powerhouses. The teams will enjoy a rest day on Thursday before wrapping up the group stage on Friday ahead of Saturday’s showpiece final.
Photo: Jan van Wyk
