Nigeria’s men’s hockey team has secured a historic bronze medal at the 2025 Hockey Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a commanding 3–1 victory over Kenya in the third-place playoff held in Ismailia, Egypt.
This marks Nigeria’s best finish in recent years at the continental tournament. The team, composed entirely of local-based players who trained intensively for over six weeks in Abuja, delivered a spirited performance against top African hockey nations including South Africa, Ghana, and Egypt.
Star forward James Samaila emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, netting an impressive eight goals throughout the competition. The women’s team also put up a strong showing, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, praised both teams for their resilience and dedication, pledging continued support to further develop the sport across the country.
