National women's hockey coach Meshack Senge believes their build-up match against the Multimedia men's team at Dashmesh Stadium on Tuesday has elevated their confidence levels.
The build-up match is part of the team's preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics Africa qualifiers scheduled for October 29 to November 5.
Coach Senge said, "Our project was largely on the defensive formation and the general aspect of the game. We started off a bit slowly but gradually progressed and took charge of the game."
He added: "Moving forward, we want to see how we can strike the balance between our pressing and then transition from defence into attack. We played the last quarter with more courage, which is what I want to see especially with the forwards," he added.
The tactician praised his players for putting up a good game and beating the varsity side 2-0.
"The boys gave us elevated intensity and we are punching above our weight. The speeds are what we want to work with," Senge said.
Out 25-man team, he is looking to narrow down to 18 whom he will work with during the South Africa qualifiers. The team is set to have another test match against a ladies' team on Thursday and Saturday.
"When we play with a ladies' team, our confidence levels grow, and with it, comes a lot more space to play and therefore more bravery," he concluded.
The Senge-led side is set to face Zambia in the first match of the qualifiers.
