Nigeria Edge Ghana to Begin Africa Hockey Cup Campaign on a Bright Note
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 12 — 10
Nigeria’s men’s hockey team got off to a perfect start at the 2025 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations, defeating Ghana 2–1 in their opening match played in Ismailia, Egypt.
The encounter, which marked the beginning of Nigeria’s quest for continental glory, saw the national side display tactical discipline and sharp finishing to secure all three points against their West African rivals.
However, it was a contrasting result for the Nigerian women’s team, who narrowly lost 0–1 to Kenya in their opening fixture. Despite the defeat, the team’s spirited performance has raised optimism ahead of their next game against hosts Egypt.
The Africa Hockey Cup of Nations, which runs from October 11 to 18, serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Hockey World Cup. Both the men’s and women’s events are being held concurrently under the supervision of the African Hockey Federation (AfHF).
Nigeria’s men will next face Kenya as they aim to maintain momentum and secure a place in the semifinals. The semifinal matches are scheduled for October 16, while the finals will be decided on October 18 in Ismailia.
Officials of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) have expressed optimism about the teams’ performances, noting that the early win has boosted morale and confidence within the camp.
