Johannesburg – Only one new cap was included yesterday in the South African women‘s hockey team for the African Cup of Nations tournament in Accra, Ghana, next month, with the selectors sticking to the team that played in the Four Nations tournament in Durban last week.

Kate Woods (formerly Hector) was not available for selection, though, and was replaced by KwaZulu Natal‘s Kelly Madsen.

“Our biggest challenge is going to be to carry on playing the way we did in Durban,” said coach Jenny King. “I was happy with the way we played there, and we need to use that as a launch pad going ahead.”

South Africa need to win the tournament to qualify for the World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, next year.

“We‘re definitely the favourites to win, but the International Hockey Federation has been pumping money into hockey in Africa, so we may have a tougher time this year,” said King. “Kenya have certainly come a long way, and could provide good competition.”

The team is:

Mariette Rix (WP), Hanli Hattingh (WP), Lisa- Marie Deetlefs (SG), Lenise Marais (WP), Cindy Brown (WP), Kim Hubach (Nor), Marsha Marescia (SG), Kelly Madsen (KZN Coast), Kathleen Taylor (WP), Loreen Irvine (NW), Roxy Turner (SG), Farah Fredericks (WP), Vida Ryan (WP), Shelley Russell (WP), Cindy Botha (KZN Coast), Vidette Ryan (WP), Jade Mayne (WP), Julia Cass (SG). – Sapa