Wrong presentation at Africa hockey final

Pretoria, Oct. 12, GNA - South African national female hockey players were on Saturday bewildered and perplexed after being decorated with the wrong medal for winning this year's African Hockey Cup of Nations at the Twshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa.

They were mistakenly presented with the bronze medals instead of gold while Namibia who were third were rather decorated with the gold medals.

It did not occur to any of the officials at the podium, not even the players, until South Africa goalie Caroline Jack, beckoned a Namibia player to come for the right medal. The Namibia player was at a loss. She did not understand what the South African player meant when she signalled her until a South Africa journalist, working for the tournament website, prompted an official for the medals to be swapped.

South Africa skipper Carlisle Lindsey told the GNA Sports, "I'm not really bothered about what medal I get, what matters is that South Africa will represent the continent at the World Cup next year." The hosts, blasted six goals past Ghana while Rejoice Noi pulled one back for the Black Sticks ladies in the final match. It was not the first time the South Africans were being presented with the wrong medals.

At the All African Games in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2003, the team was decorated with the bronze medal while the Nigerians who lost the finals 10-0 went home with the gold medal. So, after winning two high-profile tournaments, the South African ladies have just one gold medal to show.