Nigeria Hockey is Rising — Federation President Simon Nkom

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national hockey teams will fly out on October 7 for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Ismailia, Egypt, with the players, coaches, and federation officials radiating confidence and unity ahead of the continental showpiece.

The tournament, scheduled for October 11–18, will feature Africa’s hockey powerhouses — South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia — as Nigeria aims to secure its place among the elite.

President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, expressed optimism over the team’s chances, saying the early preparation and improved organization have raised expectations.

“This is not a club championship; this is Africa’s biggest stage,” Nkom said. “We have trained for weeks, built our fitness, and refined our tactics. I can tell you with every sense of conviction that Nigeria will not go to Egypt to participate — we are going to compete.”

The NHF boss noted that Nigeria’s steady rise in international rankings reflects years of consistent work.

“Just four years ago, we were 56th in the world. Today, we are 36th. In hockey 5s, we are 12th globally,” he revealed. “In Africa, our women are ranked third and the men fourth. That tells you we’re no longer invisible — the world is starting to take Nigerian hockey seriously.”

He credited the progress to the federation’s grassroots development strategy.

“You can see 12-year-olds playing against the senior national team — that’s the future we are building,” he explained. “Most of our current players were discovered young. We catch them early, train them right, and let them grow into national stars.”

Unlike in previous years when teams struggled with logistics, Nkom confirmed that the NHF has ensured all arrangements are finalized early.

“We’ve learned from the past,” he said. “The teams will leave on the 7th of October and arrive in Egypt by the 8th — three full days before kickoff. In the past, we sometimes arrived and went straight to play. That affected morale and performance. Now, we’re doing things the right way.”

He emphasized the importance of a unified travel plan, noting:
“This time, no last-minute scrambling. The teams will travel together, not in batches. That’s professionalism. We’ve thought outside the box, planned early, and secured everything ahead of time. This is a new chapter for Nigerian hockey.”

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation for its support and commended the players’ work ethic during an extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very, very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning,” he said. “The players have responded excellently. We started with 35, now we’re down to the final 18 who will travel.”

Abdullahi said the early arrival in Egypt will give Nigeria a vital psychological and tactical edge.

“This is the first time we’re going early to a major championship. It allows us to get used to the field, play some warm-up games, and boost morale. That’s the kind of professionalism we’ve been asking for.”

Despite the weight of expectation, he maintains that his team remains focused and calm.

“When you read well, you expect good results,” he added with a smile. “We’ve done the hard work, and I’m confident we’ll get a podium finish. The players know what’s at stake, but they’re calm, focused, and ready.”