People & Lifestyle
Team South Africa withdraws hockey from African Games due to poor pitch conditions
South Africa’s hockey teams have decided to withdraw from the 2023 African Games hockey competition due to concerns regarding the poor quality of the pitch at Theodosia Okoh stadium in Accra.
Both the male and female teams expressed dissatisfaction with the preparation efforts and voiced fears of potential long-term injuries for their players. Despite assurances from Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif regarding efforts to rectify the pitch’s condition, including ongoing work by the contractor, the South African teams have opted to prioritize the well-being of their Olympic-bound players.
In response to the withdrawal, other teams continue to compete in the tournament, with Egypt defeating Nigeria 5-4 in the men’s competition. Host nation Ghana is also set to participate, with upcoming matches scheduled against Nigeria and Kenya.