Team Nigeria Departs for U-18 Africa Hockey 5s Championship in Kenya, Targets World Cup Qualification
Oru Leonard
Team Nigeria will compete at the 2026 U-18 Africa Hockey 5s Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 6 to 8, as the country’s young hockey stars seek continental success and qualification for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup.
The Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) announced that the country will be represented by a 26-member contingent comprising athletes and coaches, including 10 male and 10 female players who have undergone intensive preparations for the championship.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s best young hockey talents, providing a platform for emerging players to gain international exposure while competing for continental honours.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, NHF President, Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed confidence in the readiness of both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
“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,” he said.
Nkom added that the competition reflects the steady growth of grassroots hockey in Nigeria and aligns with the federation’s commitment to developing young talents.
Beyond the battle for continental honours, the championship also serves as the qualification tournament for the 2026 FIH Hockey5s World Cup, scheduled for Cairo, Egypt, in December. The champions and runners-up in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will secure Africa’s slots at the global tournament.
The NHF said Team Nigeria’s participation demonstrates its continued investment in youth development and efforts to strengthen the country’s standing in African and international hockey. The delegation includes athletes, coaches, technical officials and support personnel.
The federation also acknowledged the support of the National Sports Commission, parents, sponsors and hockey enthusiasts for making the team’s participation possible.
It appealed to Nigerians at home and abroad to support the young athletes as they aim to deliver impressive performances and qualify for the Hockey5s World Cup.
