The 2025 Hockey Africa Cup of Nations for men and women is underway in Ismaila, Egypt. Six countries will compete against each other across the two categories at the intercontinental showdown.
Hockey players will swing their sticks bravely and don their national kits with pride on the grand hockey pitches in Egypt.
The first edition of the men’s tournament was held in 1974, and this edition will be the 12th edition of the continental tournament. The women’s competition was inaugurated in 1990, and the ninth edition is underway. The teams will engage in fierce competition for a spot at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026.
Men’s Teams
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, and Zambia.
Women’s Teams
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and Ghana.
Tournament Format
The matches in the men’s and women’s categories are structured in the same format. The men and women will face off against each other in an initial round-robin stage format in a single pool. Following the conclusion of league-style matches, medal matches will take place as the best-placed teams will compete for the big prizes. The top two performing teams will compete for the gold medal, bragging rights, and a spot at the Hockey World Cup next year. The third- and fourth-ranked teams will compete for the bronze medal.
The gold medalists in both categories will secure an automatic spot at the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands 2026.
Tournament Schedule
The tournament will kick off on October 11, 2025, with the round-robin matches, and they’ll run through to October 17. All medal matches will take place on October 18.
Men’s Category
Ghana and Kenya will get the tournament underway with the opening round-robin match. Subsequently, defending champions South Africa will square off against Zambia in the second match, while hosts Egypt will battle Nigeria in the final round-robin match of the day.
Women’s Category
Kenya will kick the women’s competition off against Nigeria, while Ghana will lock horns with hosts Egypt on the opening match day. Defending Champions South Africa will square off against hosts Egypt on the 12th of October.
Teams to Look Out For
Men’s Category
South Africa is the most successful team in the history of the competition. Their dominance in the competition is unrivaled, clinching eight consecutive Hockey AFCON titles. Two-time champions Egypt will be aiming to add to their trophy cabinet, bolstered by a roaring home advantage. Ghana has won one title and will look to become the third country to win multiple Hockey AFCON titles. Nigeria and Zambia face an uphill battle in their quest for their maiden continental crown.
South Africa and Egypt have developed a fierce rivalry over the years in the tournament, facing off in the last six finals, with South Africa edging their North African opponents on each occasion.
Women’s Category
South Africa has maintained an iron-fisted grip of domination on both categories, replicating their male superiority in the female category, too. The South African female team has clinched seven consecutive titles, while Zimbabwe has one, having clinched the maiden tournament in 1990. No other country, not named South Africa or Zimbabwe, boasts a hockey WAFCON title.
South Africa and Ghana will renew their rivalry at this year’s tournament. South Africa has gotten the better of Ghana in the past five finals.
With continental prestige, fame, and a spot at the Hockey World Cup on the line, these teams will give their all in their quests to become African Champions. South Africa is the undisputed heavyweight in this competition and the team to beat. Legends will be forged and history will be rewritten as players swing to glory in this continental tournament.
