FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026: Sport Group completes Belfius Hockey Arena turf installation

FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026: Sport Group completes Belfius Hockey Arena turf installation

16 Oct, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to confirm that Sport Group has completed the installation of the turf at the Belfius Hockey Arena – Belgium’s new national hockey stadium, where the overall stadium construction is well advanced. The stadium, in Wavre near Brussels, will feature half of the matches of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. FIH’s Global Supplier Polytan, a member of Sport Group, has manufactured and installed its Poligras hockey turf at the stadium. The same turf will be laid at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, the arena that will host the other half of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup matches. Recently, Polytan supplied and installed Poligras turfs for the 2018, 2022 and 2023 FIH Hockey World Cups, as well as the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, with the Poligras Paris GT zero turf that was developed for Paris being the world’s first carbon-zero hockey turf. Developed for use as a Global category wet turf, it is also certified as an FIH innovation category dry turf. In total the 2026 edition will mark the tenth time Poligras hockey turf has been used at an FIH Hockey World Cup, and the third time it will be installed at the iconic Wagener Stadium. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “We are delighted that Poligras will be the official turf for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Belgium & Netherlands. Poligras is a surface that has delivered for hockey at the highest level across several Olympic Games and World Cups. Through our collaboration with FIH Global Supplier partners Sport Group (Polytan and AstroTurf), we continue to provide high-quality hockey places to play worldwide, enhancing the experience for both athletes and fans alike.” Fred van Wijk, International Sales Director, Polytan added: “Our history with hockey goes back to the first synthetic hockey turfs in the mid-1970s. That gives us 50 years of R&D, manufacturing, and installation experience, including 11 Olympic Games. This depth of knowledge gives us a unique understanding of the sport, and it is rewarding to have our turf recognized as the best, especially in The Netherlands, where hockey is so important. Our Poligras Paris 2024 turf proved that carbon-zero sustainability can be achieved without compromising elite performance. Looking ahead to the LA 2028 Olympics, we continue to invest in reducing water use and carbon impact while ensuring our hockey turf performs at the highest Olympic level.”

Men’s team: Kenya fight back to down Nigeria

Kenyan teams deliver big results in Egypt as Africa Cup of Nations heats up

The Kenyan men will wrap up their group campaign against Zambia in their final fixture. The Kenya men’s and women’s national hockey teams produced impressive performances on Wednesday at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Ismailia, Egypt. The men’s team bounced back from earlier defeats to register their first win of the tournament, coming from a goal down to edge Nigeria 2–1, while the women’s team held defending champions South Africa to a hard-fought goalless draw. Men’s team: Kenya fight back to down Nigeria Nigeria took an early lead in the fourth minute through John Peter, who slotted home a field goal past Kenyan goalkeeper Caleb Omondi. Kenya, however, responded strongly, equalizing in the 15th minute through Mathias Omwaka, who converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick. The winning goal came in the 43rd minute, when Alex Taiswa fired home from open play to secure the comeback victory for Kenya — their first in the competition. Before the Nigeria clash, Kenya had endured a tough start to the tournament. They lost their opening match 2–1 to hosts Egypt, despite taking the lead through Bethuel Masambu in the 40th minute. Egypt equalized through Hossameldin Ragab and sealed victory with a late goal from Mostafa Ragab in the 51st minute. In their second outing, Kenya fell 3–1 to defending champions South Africa, and later suffered a 4–2 defeat to Ghana, with goals from Moses Muigai and Omwaka providing little consolation. With four matches played, the Kenyan men now sit fifth on the standings with three points, above bottom-placed Zambia, who remain winless. Kenya will wrap up their group campaign against Zambia in their final fixture. Women’s team: Kenya hold defending champions In the women’s category, Kenya showed remarkable defensive organization and composure to hold South Africa to a 0–0 draw, a result that keeps their title hopes very much alive. Earlier in the tournament, the Kenyan ladies made a strong start, defeating Nigeria 1–0 in their opening match courtesy of a solitary goal by Alice Owiti. They followed it up with an emphatic 4–0 victory over hosts Egypt, with Joan Anjao, Eleanor Chebet, Naom Kemunto, and Alice Owiti all finding the back of the net. With three matches played, Kenya sit second on the table with seven points, level with South Africa, but trail only on goal difference — the South Africans leading by six goals. Kenya Results Summary Men’s Results: Lost 1–2 vs Egypt Lost 1–3 vs South Africa Lost 2–4 vs Ghana Won 2–1 vs Nigeria Women’s Results: Won 1–0 vs Nigeria Won 4–0 vs Egypt Drew 0–0 vs South Africa. Source: mozzartsport.co.ke | 15 Oct. 2025

South Africa Storm into African Cup of Nations Final with Dominant Win Over Ghana

The South African men’s hockey team sealed their place in the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations final in emphatic style, powering to an 11–3 victory over Ghana in Ismailia on Wednesday. After a competitive and physical opening quarter, South Africa gradually took control and delivered a statement performance worthy of defending champions. The early exchanges saw South Africa win a penalty corner, with Mustapha Cassiem and Sam Mvimbi both testing the Ghanaian goalkeeper in quick succession. A heavy collision moments later saw Ghana’s Stephan Asamoah shown a yellow card, as the contest’s intensity rose sharply. South Africa broke the deadlock when Keenan Horne was perfectly placed to finish after a deft deflection from Hans Neethling off Nic Spooner’s pass, giving the men in green and gold a 1–0 lead at the first break. Ghana equalised early in the second quarter through Emmanuel Makaba, who converted a penalty stroke after the ball struck Sam Mvimbi on the line. But South Africa responded swiftly, with Dayaan Cassiem reacting first to a loose ball in the circle to restore the lead with a precise finish. There was no shortage of drama as South Africa missed a chance to extend their advantage when Mustapha Cassiem sent a penalty stroke wide, but Sam Mvimbi made amends shortly after, converting another stroke to make it 3–1. Ghana, however, refused to fade and pulled one back through Benjamin Kwofie before halftime to keep the contest alive at 3–2. The defending champions started the second half with intent. Zenani Kraai finished smartly from a superb Calvin Davis diagonal to restore the two-goal cushion, before Ryan Mann marked his first international goal to make it 5–2. From there, South Africa found their rhythm and put on a finishing masterclass, Dayaan Cassiem added a sublime reverse-stick strike, Mustapha Cassiem fired home from a penalty corner, and Jaydon Brooker netted another set-piece to close out the third quarter with South Africa leading 8–2. Debutant Brendan du Toit was introduced in the final quarter to earn his first international cap, while Sihle Ngubane fired home a crisp strike to bring up South Africa’s ninth. Ghana managed a consolation through Christopher Dogbe, but the South Africans were far from done. Keenan Horne added his second after excellent work from Dayaan Cassiem, and Hans Neethling rounded off the scoring with a neat finish amid a goalmouth scramble, completing an 11–3 rout. The victory means South Africa and Egypt have officially qualified for the final, setting up yet another mouth-watering clash between the two continental powerhouses. The teams will enjoy a rest day on Thursday before wrapping up the group stage on Friday ahead of Saturday’s showpiece final. Source: SAhockey.co.za | Oct 15, 2025

South Africa left frustrated after goalless draw against Kenya

The South African women’s hockey team were left frustrated after being held to a 0–0 draw by Kenya in their third match of the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia on Wednesday. Despite enjoying the bulk of possession and creating numerous chances, the South Africans were unable to find a way past a resolute Kenyan defence. Before the match, there were two significant milestones celebrated. Quanita Bobbs became just the 11th South African woman to reach 200 international caps, a remarkable testament to her consistency and leadership over more than a decade at the top level. Edith Molikoe also marked her 50th appearance, joining a small group of players to have achieved that milestone in both indoor and outdoor formats — highlighting her value across all forms of the game. Once the action began, South Africa asserted themselves early and dictated the tempo throughout. They moved the ball with purpose, pressed high up the field, and created a steady flow of scoring opportunities. However, an inspired performance from the Kenyan defence, led superbly by goalkeeper Quinton Okore, kept the defending champions at bay. The South Africans continued to dominate possession and territory in the second half, but despite earning a succession of penalty corners and maintaining pressure, the elusive breakthrough never came. Kenya’s defensive structure held firm, frustrating every attack and denying South Africa the goal that their effort and intent perhaps deserved. The result keeps South Africa unbeaten in the tournament, but also means they will need to avoid defeat against Nigeria on Friday to secure their place in Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final. Source: SAhockey.co.za | Oct 15, 2025

South Africa and Egypt Share the Spoils in African Hockey Classic

In one of African hockey’s most fiercely contested rivalries, South Africa and Egypt played out a thrilling 3–3 draw in Ismailia on Monday evening — a result that perfectly reflected the intensity and drama of the occasion. The defending champions made a strong start and opened the scoring through Calvin Davis, who fired a low, powerful drag flick into the bottom corner from a penalty corner to give South Africa an early lead. As the game grew in physicality and tempo, South Africa were forced to absorb pressure and navigate several card suspensions that made the task even more demanding. Despite this, the visitors continued to threaten, earning a series of penalty corners that went unconverted before Egypt were awarded a penalty stroke. However, debutant Cullin de Jager produced a superb save to preserve the advantage. The lead was soon doubled as captain Dayaan Cassiem showcased his trademark flair, finding a sliver of space and unleashing a brilliant reverse-stick strike to make it 2–0. Egypt, though, hit back immediately through Mostafa Ragab, capitalising on a lapse in defensive focus to halve the deficit before halftime. The hosts carried that momentum into the second half, levelling through a Mohamed Adel penalty corner and then completing the turnaround when Mamdouh struck from another set piece to make it 3–2 heading into the final quarter. Refusing to yield, South Africa dug deep, and it was once again Dayaan Cassiem who led from the front — blasting home another superb reverse-stick effort to restore parity at 3–3. Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither could find the decisive moment, leaving the spoils shared in a pulsating encounter that once again underlined why this fixture remains the pinnacle of African hockey rivalry. South Africa now turn their attention to their next fixture as they continue their campaign to defend their continental crown. Source: SAhockey.co.za | Oct 14, 2025