Kenya qualify for Olympic qualifiers semis

Maureen Owiti (left) of Kenya in action against Ghana.[Africa Hockey Federation]

Kenya national women’s hockey team on Monday won their second pool matches at the ongoing African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 qualifiers in South Africa.

The team qualified to the semis with a game to spare after seeing off Ghana 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.

Eleanor Chebet opened the scores in the first minute before Grace Bwire made it 2-0 in the 30th minute. Berko Mavis pulled a goal back for Ghana in the 36th minute, but Blazer’s Maureen Okumu made it 3-1.

Mavis scored in the 48th minute to make it 3-2, a lead Kenya held on to seal the win.

The men’s and women’s teams that win the tournament will seal their berths to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The team that finishes second in the men’s competition will get a second opportunity to qualify for the Olympics, at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024.

A total of 12 teams, in men and women’s categories, will compete in hockey at the Olympic Games. Hosts France have gained direct qualification.

Australia (men and women) were winners of the Oceania Cup, which sealed their qualification, while Netherlands (men and women) qualified as the European champions.

India's men and China's women clinched their spots at the Olympics through their gold medal victories at the Asian Games.

Apart from the winners of the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024, winners of the continental championships in Pan America will also gain direct qualification to the upcoming Olympic Games.

The FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024, which will be held in January 2024, provides a second opportunity for teams to qualify for the remaining six spots at the Olympic Games.