Eustice seeking success in Nairobi
Former Benoni Northerns junior hockey player Jethro Eustice has been selected as one of the South African men’s hockey team players who will be aiming to qualify for next year’s Hockey World Cup, in The Hague.
They will also hope for an outright victory at the African Cup of Nations Tournament, in Nairobi, Kenya, that started on Monday, November 18.
The African tournament will be held from November 18 to 23 after being postponed from its original dates (September 26 to October 5), due to the terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall in Kenya’s capital city, recently.
Eustice, a defender, has been selected as part of an 18-man squad that is looking to defend the title of African champions, after winning the biennial tournament in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 2011.
On a personal note, the 24-year-old is hoping to become a permanent fixture in coach Charlie Pereira’s team.
“For me, starting every game is my first goal, especially in the last game of the tournament (the final), in which I hope we will play,” he said.
“Finals are awesome to take part in and fighting for the gold medal will be truly awesome.”
After getting his first taste of scoring for his country in Malaysia, recently, the hockey star is aiming to add more goals to his game, especially at penalty corners.
“Scoring for my country was an amazing feeling and I really want to keep doing that,” he said.
Since the tournament was postponed, Eustice has been hard at work in the gym, with a specific focus on leg strength and agility.
He has also been spending time in Ireland, working on defensive principles, marking, tackling and drag flicking.
The final will be held on Saturday, November 23, and Eustice and “The Lads” will hope to be in it.
At the time of going to press on Wednesday “The Lads” were off to a great start.
The team defeated Ghana 6-2 on Monday and Egypt 6-1 on Tuesday.
