Hockey: South Africa Halts Nigeria’s Paris Olympic Dream

Hope of Team Nigeria in Hockey to book their place in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris ended on Sunday after they suffered a heavy loss to South Africa in the final.

The South Africans dominated the game and Thati Zulu won an early penalty corner and Tarryn Lombard converted with a touch from Quanita Bobbs.

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A brilliant set-up by Kristen Paton put Ntsopa Mokoena through but Nigerian goalkeeper Martha Uko, who has been superb in this tournament, pulled off a great save.

The South Africans made it 3-0 early in the second quarter when Jean-Leigh du Toit netted almost a trademark drag flick from a penalty corner as the Nigerian women appeared helpless to deny South Africa.

Things got even better for the South Africans as they stormed into the halftime break with another two goals and a place at Paris all but confirmed.

That confirmation received further backing in the third quarter with a hat-trick completing deflection from Tarryn Lombard before Paris-Gail Isaacs scored her first international goal for the country getting on the rebound of her shot to make it 8-0.

Kristen Paton saved the game with the 9th goal as the South Africans wrapped up the victory 9-0, completing the tournament without conceding a goal.