Lucky South Africa win tight semi-final
What you need to know:
- The hosts were unable to deal with Kenya’s pace and resorted to dangerous play forcing match umpire Andres Ortiz to issue three green cards to three South African players.
Kenya men’s hockey team on Saturday lost 2-1 to South Africa in the semi-final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-cum-2016 Olympic Qualifiers at the Randburg Stadium, South Africa.
George Mutira had given Kenya the lead with 12 minutes to go through a field goal but South Africa equalised three minutes later through Lloyd Norris-Jones’ tap in.
Five minutes to the end, Pierre de Voux broke Kenyan hearts as his ferocious shot sailed past Kenyan keeper Linus Kipkemboi to complete the comeback.
Kenya were unable to get back in the game as South Africa held on for the win and will now take on Egypt in today’s final as the competition comes to an end.
Egypt had earlier in the day booked their place in the final after thrashing Ghana 7-1. Kenyan coach Meshack Senge restored skipper Zack Aura, Barnabas Odhiambo and Richard Birir to the starting line-up and was rewarded by a wonderful first half display.
Kenya took the game to their hosts and should have been three goals up by the end first quarter but were denied by Rassie Peterse who saved brilliantly from Derrick Kuloba, Mutira and Leon Magomere.
The hosts were unable to deal with Kenya’s pace and resorted to dangerous play forcing match umpire Andres Ortiz to issue three green cards to three South African players.
The hosts did eventually settle and their first chance saw them win a penalty flick after Neveille Mulupi hauled down de Voux. Rhett Halkett’s stroke went wide to the relief of the Kenyans as the teams went into the break level.
