As the 2025 Hockey Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, the President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, has expressed confidence in the national men’s and women’s teams’ readiness to compete for medals and bring glory to the country.
Speaking in Abuja after a friendly match at the Hockey Pitch, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Nkom said the teams had undergone extensive preparation ahead of the continental tournament slated for October 11–18 in Egypt.
“In sports—whether hockey, handball, or basketball fitness is paramount. That’s why we began camping weeks in advance to strengthen the players for the challenges ahead,” Nkom stated.
He emphasized that the Federation had laid a solid foundation to ensure strong performances at the competition, describing the AFCON as “the pinnacle of African hockey.”
“This is not just a local event; it’s Africa’s biggest hockey tournament. We’ve done the groundwork, the players are ready, and we’re confident of achieving a podium finish,” he added.
Highlighting the nation’s progress in recent years, Nkom said Nigeria’s global ranking had improved from 56th to 36th, with both national teams now among the continent’s elite.
“A few years ago, there were doubts about hockey in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, while the men’s team is 4th. These achievements reflect our commitment to grassroots development and continuous improvement,” he noted.
