Team Nigeria clinches bronze at African Hockey Cup of Nations
Team Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have returned home after proudly representing the nation at the African Hockey Cup of Nations (ACN) held in Ismailia, Egypt. Made up entirely of local-based players who trained intensively for over six weeks in Abuja, both teams delivered spirited performances against some of Africa’s hockey powerhouses — including […]
A Nigerian player (left) and his Burkina Faso opponent contest for the ball during African Hockey Championship
Team Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have returned home after proudly representing the nation at the African Hockey Cup of Nations (ACN) held in Ismailia, Egypt.
Made up entirely of local-based players who trained intensively for over six weeks in Abuja, both teams delivered spirited performances against some of Africa’s hockey powerhouses — including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and hosts Egypt.
The men’s team claimed the bronze medal — their best finish in recent years — after defeating Kenya 3–1 in the third-place playoff. Nigeria’s James Samaila shone brightly, emerging as the tournament’s top scorer with an impressive eight goals.
Meanwhile, the women’s team, who had previously secured bronze in earlier editions, put up a commendable fight but narrowly missed out on a podium finish this time.
President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking on arrival from Egypt, praised both teams for their “dedication, teamwork, and resilience,” and pledged continued support for the sport’s growth.
“Our players showed the true Nigerian spirit. We’ll keep building on this foundation to achieve greater results,” he said.
Engineer Nkom also described the men’s bronze medal as a major milestone for Nigerian hockey.
“Our players displayed exceptional passion and discipline throughout the competition. This achievement is a significant step forward for Nigerian hockey,” he added.