The South African men’s hockey team produced a performance for the ages to defeat Egypt 5–1 in the final of the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, claiming their eighth continental title and booking their place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. It was the seventh consecutive AFCON final between the two African giants, who had played out a 3–3 draw in the group stages. This time, however, South Africa left no doubt about their supremacy, combining composure, structure, and brilliance in front of goal to secure the biggest winning margin ever recorded in an AFCON men’s final. From the outset, South Africa looked settled and confident, creating early chances while maintaining defensive control. It was Mustapha Cassiem, the man for the big moments, who delivered first. A perfectly executed slip variation at a penalty corner gave the Amsterdam star a sight of goal, and he made no mistake, rocketing an unstoppable drag flick into the back of the net to give South Africa the lead. As the half wore on, the magic of Mustapha lit up the final once again. Just before the break, Nic Spooner lifted a clever overhead into Cassiem, who shaped to shoot before calmly outsmarting the defenders and scooping the ball past the keeper, a moment of pure class that doubled the advantage. Egypt clawed one back through Esmat, who reacted first to a rebound from a penalty corner after a sharp save by Cullin de Jager. Moments later came one of the game’s talking points, a blistering South African counterattack saw Cassiem through on goal before being taken down illegally by the goalkeeper. A penalty stroke was initially awarded, but after Egyptian protests and treatment delays, the decision was overturned, leaving the halftime score at 2–1 in a fiercely contested battle. The third quarter began with Egypt threatening from another penalty corner, striking the crossbar as they searched for an equaliser. But South Africa weathered the storm and struck the decisive blow through Nic Spooner, who finished a composed move after Jaydon Brooker’s brilliant run and cross to make it 3–1. Moments later, a sweeping South African attack saw the ball cleared off the line before another penalty corner was earned and there was no stopping Mustapha Cassiem this time, who completed his hat-trick with another thunderous finish to push the scoreline to 4–1. Goalkeeper Cullin de Jager produced two outstanding saves late in the third quarter to preserve the lead, showcasing the depth of South Africa’s performance. Early in the fourth quarter, Egypt were reduced to ten men following a yellow card, and South Africa pounced instantly. Calvin Davis found space just inside the circle and unleashed a superb reverse-stick strike to make it 5–1, sealing the contest in style. The final minutes saw Egypt earn a string of penalty corners, but the South African defence stood tall, ensuring there would be no way back for the hosts. When the final whistle blew, it marked a moment of pride and history, South Africa lifting their eighth African title, their seventh straight final triumph over Egypt, and securing qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Source: SAhockey.co.za | Oct 18, 2025

The South African women’s hockey team reaffirmed their continental dominance with a 4–0 victory over Ghana in the final of the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, claiming their eighth consecutive title and sealing qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Facing a familiar rival in Ghana, whom they narrowly defeated 3–2 during the group stages ,South Africa delivered a composed, clinical, and commanding performance when it mattered most. It was the perfect start for the defending champions, as Jean-Leigh du Toit fired home a blistering drag flick from a penalty corner inside the opening minutes to give her side an early lead. Barely two minutes later, Kayla de Waal added the finishing touch to a deflected ball in front of goal, doubling the advantage and capping off a dream opening five minutes for the South Africans. South Africa’s dominance continued as they dictated possession, tempo, and territory. Their relentless pressure paid dividends late in the second quarter when a sustained spell of penalty corners eventually saw Du Toit sweep home her second of the final, extending the lead to 4–0 by halftime after Hannah Pearce had earlier struck from another well-executed set piece. With a commanding cushion, the second half saw the South Africans continue to control proceedings with trademark composure. Their defensive structure remained impenetrable, while the midfield trio dictated rhythm and tempo. Despite earning further penalty corners and opportunities, the scoreboard remained unchanged as the clock wound down. When the final whistle blew, it signalled yet another golden chapter in South African hockey history, an eighth successive African crown, and a sixth consecutive final triumph over Ghana, underlining the team’s enduring excellence on the continental stage. The victory also confirms South Africa’s place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, as they continue to fly the flag proudly for African hockey on the global stage.

With their place in Saturday’s African Hockey Cup of Nations final already secured, the South African men’s hockey team produced another commanding performance, defeating Nigeria 8–3 in Ismailia on Thursday to close out the group phase unbeaten and full of confidence ahead of their rematch with Egypt. South Africa made the ideal start when the Cassiem brothers combined in trademark fashion, Dayaan Cassiem finishing clinically to give the defending champions an early lead. Nigeria responded well and levelled early in the second quarter through Dennis Solomons, who was afforded space in the circle and made no mistake with a composed finish. The South Africans regained control when Andrew Hobson reacted quickest to a rebound from a penalty corner, tucking the ball home from close range to restore the advantage. But Nigeria hit back again on the stroke of halftime with a swift counterattack finished superbly by Alkana Ibrahim, sending the teams into the break level at 2–2. After halftime, South Africa stepped up a gear and showed their class with an explosive third-quarter display that yielded five goals. Keenan Horne restored the lead with a sublime finish seconds after the restart, before Dayaan Cassiem added his second after a neat exchange with his brother Mustapha. The pressure mounted on Nigeria as Hans Neethling punished a defensive lapse from a penalty corner, and Sam Mvimbi calmly converted a penalty stroke to extend the lead further. Moments later, Nic Spooner finished off a slick counterattack to make it 7–2 heading into the final quarter. Nigeria reduced the deficit with a penalty stroke from James Samaila, but South Africa had the final say as Hans Neethling pounced on a rebound from a penalty corner to complete the 8–3 scoreline. It was a confident and composed performance from the South Africans, who now turn their attention to Saturday’s final against hosts Egypt, a clash that promises to once again showcase the very best of African hockey. Source: SAhockey.co.za | Oct. 17, 2025