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.