Two hockey players from Stellenbosch University (SU) were recently selected to represent the South African outdoor women’s team in an international tournament in Wałcz, Poland.
This is according to Lenise Marais, the head coach of the Maties women’s hockey club at SU.
Daniella de Oliveira and Ongeziwe Mali, who are both in the South African women’s hockey squad, will represent the country during the inaugural Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Women’s Nations Cup 2 from 16 to 22 June, according to the South African Hockey Association website.
It is De Oliveira’s first time being selected for the outdoor team, while Mali has played for them before, according to De Oliveira.
Daniella de Oliveira (above), a player for the Maties women’s hockey team, and her team mate Ongeziwe Mali have been selected to represent South Africa at the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Women’s Nations Cup 2, to take place from 16 to 22 June, according to the South African Hockey Association website. PHOTO: Uendjizuvira Kandanga
De Oliveira, who was named player of the tournament during the 2024 South African indoor Inter-Provincial Tournament, said that reaching this stage has always been a goal for her in her hockey career.
“I am so excited to reach this milestone with some of the girls in the team that have been with me along this journey, every step of the way. It’s really special and almost feels like a full circle moment,” said De Oliveira. “My only hope is that my team and I represent our country as best we can and make the next little girl dream to be where we are fortunate enough to stand.”
Daniella de Oliveira, a player for the Maties women’s hockey team, said that she has been blessed to represent South Africa in indoor hockey, and she looks forward to doing so in the South African outdoor team. De Oliveira will compete in the South African national hockey team at the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Women’s Nations Cup 2, according to the South African Hockey Association website. INFOGRAPHIC: Uendjizuvira Kandanga
Richele Norval, one of De Oliveira’s teammates, told SMF News that she is excited for De Oliveira.
“She has a very unique style,” said Norval. “She’s always hard-working and motivates everyone to keep going.”
Chance to gain international promotion
Mali and De Oliveira were selected for the tournament because they are both talented players who have performed well over the past year, according to Marais.
“They’ve shown they have the capacity – technically, tactically, and physically – to play at the senior international level,” said Marais, who added that she is proud of both of them.
Daniella de Oliveira, a player for the Maties women’s hockey team, will represent South Africa in the national hockey team during the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Women’s Nations Cup 2, according to Lenise Marais, the head coach of the Maties women’s hockey club at Stellenbosch University. South Africa will compete against Uruguay, Poland, and Malaysia before the semi-finals and finals, according to the South African Hockey Association website. PHOTO: Supplied/Daniella de Oliveira
“Ongeziwe is continuing to solidify her position in the team, and Daniella will be making her senior outdoor debut – both are difficult things to do,” said Marais. “[I] can’t wait to see how they perform at the tournament and beyond.”
SMF News reached out to Ongeziwe Mali, but she declined to comment.
The official schedule of the teams South Africa will compete against at the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Women’s Nations Cup 2, scheduled to take place from 16 to 22 June in Wałcz, Poland. This is according to the South African Hockey Association website. INFOGRAPHIC: Uendjizuvira Kandanga