Nigeria’s men’s hockey team clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Hockey Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 3–1 win over Kenya in the third-place playoff at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.
The win capped a strong finish for the Nigerians in what was the 12th edition of the continental championship, organised by the African Hockey Federation.
The tournament, held concurrently with the women’s competition, brought together Africa’s best national sides for two weeks of high-intensity action.
Nigeria began the bronze medal clash brightly, taking the lead in the 16th minute through Solomon Dennis, whose well-taken field goal gave the East Africans little chance to recover. Kenya, however, struck back eight minutes later when Usagi Sutcliffe converted a field goal to level the contest at 1–1.
After the restart, Nigeria regained control through set-piece precision. Samaila James, one of the standout players of the tournament, restored Nigeria’s lead in the 44th minute with a fierce finish from a penalty corner.
The forward struck again five minutes later from another penalty corner to make it 3–1, sealing victory for the West Africans and a deserved bronze medal.
The result also served as redemption for Nigeria after their women’s side narrowly lost 1–0 to Kenya in their own third-place playoff. Bwire Grace’s 45th-minute field goal was enough to hand the Kenyans the bronze medal in the women’s event.
In the men’s competition, South Africa once again underlined their dominance on the continent by thrashing hosts Egypt 5–1 in the final to capture their eighth African title.
It was the seventh consecutive final between the two sides, and South Africa produced a masterclass performance in Ismailia to extend their supremacy in African hockey.
The emphatic victory earned South Africa a record-extending eighth continental title and qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their women’s team were equally dominant, cruising to a 4–0 win over Ghana to secure their ninth title and confirm their own place at the global showpiece.
For Nigeria, the men’s bronze medal represented a major step forward for the team, which showed improved tactical discipline, resilience, and scoring efficiency throughout the tournament. Samaila James emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, a feat that underscored Nigeria’s attacking promise and growing competitiveness on the African stage.
The 2025 Hockey Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Ismailia, thus ended with South Africa once again asserting continental superiority, while Nigeria’s podium finish reaffirmed their status as one of Africa’s rising hockey forces, finishing on the podium for two consecutive editions.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
