Nigeria’s men’s hockey team clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Hockey Africa Cup of Nations after a confident 3–1 victory over Kenya in the third-place match held at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.
The result capped off a positive campaign for the Nigerian side in the 12th edition of the continental tournament, organised by the African Hockey Federation. The event, which also featured the women’s competition, brought together Africa’s best teams for two weeks of intense action.
Nigeria started the bronze medal clash on a strong note, taking the lead in the 16th minute through Solomon Dennis, whose precise field goal left the Kenyan defence scrambling. Kenya, however, equalised eight minutes later when Usagi Sutcliffe struck to make it 1–1.
After the break, the Nigerians regained control and showed better accuracy from set pieces. Samaila James, who had been one of the standout players of the tournament, restored Nigeria’s lead in the 44th minute with a powerful strike from a penalty corner. Five minutes later, he scored again from another penalty corner to seal a comfortable 3–1 victory for the West Africans.
Okay News reports that the bronze medal served as a morale boost for Nigeria, especially after the women’s team narrowly lost 1–0 to Kenya in their own third-place match earlier in the day.
In the men’s final, South Africa underlined their dominance in African hockey by thrashing hosts Egypt 5–1 to win their eighth continental title. The South Africans have now reached seven consecutive finals and will represent Africa at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Nigeria’s campaign ended on a high note, with the men’s team showing significant improvement in tactics and finishing. Samaila James emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals — a performance that reflected Nigeria’s growing competitiveness in African hockey.
The 2025 Hockey Africa Cup concluded with South Africa extending their superiority and Nigeria cementing their place among the continent’s rising forces by finishing on the podium for the second time in a row.
