Nigeria’s hockey groups skilled contrasting fortunes on the opening day of the 2025 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, Egypt.
The lads’s staff started their marketing campaign in type, defeating Ghana 2–1 in a tense encounter on the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium, whereas the ladies’s staff fell narrowly to Kenya in a 1–0 loss.
Within the males’s conflict performed early on Saturday, the Nigerian facet confirmed willpower and attacking aptitude to beat their West African rivals.
After a balanced first quarter, Ghana struck first, however Nigeria responded shortly, drawing stage by way of a well-taken objective earlier than sealing victory within the closing quarter.
The outcome offers the Inexperienced Sticks a robust begin within the competitors, boosting their confidence as they intention to qualify for the semifinals.
Coach of the boys’s staff praised his gamers’ combating spirit, noting that their capacity to remain composed after conceding early was essential.
He emphasised the significance of sustaining focus because the staff prepares for more durable matches towards heavyweights like South Africa and Egypt.
Nonetheless, it was a distinct story for the Nigerian ladies’s facet, who suffered a slim 1–0 defeat to Kenya of their opening match.
Regardless of dominating possession and creating a number of scoring alternatives, the staff didn’t convert their probabilities, permitting Kenya to grab a decisive objective within the second half.
Coach of the ladies’s staff expressed disappointment on the outcome however remained optimistic about their probabilities of bouncing again in subsequent video games.
The 2025 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations, that includes high groups from throughout the continent, runs from October 11 to 18 in Ismailia, Egypt, with each Nigerian groups looking for robust finishes.
