Team Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams are back in Nigeria after flying the country’s flag high at the African Hockey Cup of Nations (ACN) held in Ismailia, Egypt.
Comprising all local-based players, the teams delivered spirited performances against some of Africa’s top hockey nations, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and hosts, Egypt.
The men’s team secured a bronze medal, their best finish in recent years, after defeating Kenya 3-1 in the third-place playoff as Nigeria’s James Samaila emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, netting an impressive eight goals.
The women’s team, who have also achieved bronze in previous editions, gave a strong account of themselves but narrowly missed out on a podium finish this time around.
President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking on arrival from Egypt, commended both teams for their dedication, teamwork, and resilience, pledging sustained support for the growth of the sport.
The NHF boss further expressed pride in the teams’ performances, describing the bronze medal as a major boost for the sport’s development in Nigeria.
“Our players showed the true Nigerian spirit. We’ll keep building on this foundation to achieve greater results. Our players displayed exceptional passion and discipline throughout the competition. This achievement is a significant step forward for Nigerian hockey,” he said.
The Federation expressed appreciation to the National Sports Commission, sponsors and fans for their unwavering support and encouragement, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots development and international exposure for Nigerian players ahead of future tournaments.
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