By Paul Joseph
Team Nigeria will be aiming to secure qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey 5s World Cup when it competes at the U-18 Africa Hockey 5s Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 6 to 8, the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) has announced.
The continental championship will assemble Africa’s most promising young hockey talents, offering a competitive platform for players to gain international experience while battling for places at the Hockey 5s World Cup scheduled for Cairo, Egypt, in December 2026.
Nigeria will be represented by a 26-member delegation comprising 20 players—10 boys and 10 girls—alongside coaches, technical officials and support staff. The teams have completed intensive preparations ahead of the three-day championship.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NHF President, Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed confidence in the readiness of both the male and female teams to compete for honours and make the country proud.
He described the tournament as a crucial stage in the development of Nigeria’s young hockey players, saying it offers an opportunity to compete against the continent’s best while gaining valuable international exposure.
“The U-18 Africa Hockey 5s Championship is a significant opportunity for our young athletes to test their skills against the best on the continent and gain valuable international exposure. We are optimistic that both our male and female teams will compete with determination, discipline and the resilience that Nigerian athletes are known for,” Nkom said.
The NHF president added that the championship reflects the federation’s sustained investment in grassroots hockey and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of players capable of excelling on the continental and global stage.
The tournament carries added significance as the champions and runners-up in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will earn qualification for the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup, making every match in Nairobi crucial.
According to the federation, Nigeria’s participation forms part of its long-term vision of strengthening the country’s standing in African and international hockey through structured youth development programmes.
The NHF also appreciated the National Sports Commission (NSC), parents, sponsors and hockey stakeholders for their continued support, noting that their contributions have played a key role in the team’s preparations.
The federation has called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to rally behind the young athletes as they seek continental success and qualification for the Hockey 5s World Cup in Egypt.
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