Joel Ajayi
Team Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams were received amid cheers and celebration on their return from Ismailia, Egypt, after a remarkable outing at the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations (ACN).
The men’s team made the nation proud by clinching the bronze medal — their best finish in recent years — following an emphatic 3–1 victory over Kenya in the third-place playoff. Star striker James Samaila was the tournament’s standout performer, finishing as the top scorer with an impressive eight goals.
Comprising entirely of home-based players who trained intensively for over six weeks in Abuja, both the men’s and women’s teams showcased determination, skill, and resilience against Africa’s hockey powerhouses, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and hosts Egypt.
While the women’s team narrowly missed out on a podium finish, their performance was widely applauded for its grit and improvement from previous campaigns.
Speaking on arrival, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, commended the teams for their spirited displays, describing the bronze medal as a significant milestone for Nigerian hockey.
“Our players showed true Nigerian spirit and fought with passion and discipline throughout the tournament. This bronze medal is a huge motivation for the future, and we’ll continue to build on this momentum to reach greater heights,” he said.
Engineer Nkom also expressed appreciation to the Sports Commission, sponsors, and fans for their steadfast support, reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to developing hockey at the grassroots level and providing more international exposure for Nigerian players.
The triumph in Egypt marks a new chapter of promise for Nigerian hockey, as the teams continue to grow in confidence and competitiveness on the continental stage.
