SA Women’s hockey team cruises into African Cup of Nations final with win over Nigeria
Hockey
Caylin Maree scored her first senior international goal for the SA Women in the 5-0 victory over Nigeria that booked their place in Sunday's final at the African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, Egypt,
Image: Jan van Zyl
A five-star performance from the South African women’s hockey team proved too hot for Nigeria to handle in their final group stage match at the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, Egypt, on Friday, as they joined the men in Sunday’s final and took another step closer to qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
The defending champions got off to the perfect start as Jean-Leigh du Toit opened the scoring inside the first minute with a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner.
Despite controlling possession and territory, South Africa struggled to break down a compact and disciplined Nigerian defensive block, taking a slender 1-0 lead into the half-time break.
The South Africans found another gear after the restart, showing greater fluency and precision in the attacking third. Veteran Quanita Bobbs, celebrating her 201st international cap, doubled the advantage with a stunning reverse-stick finish from a penalty corner.
Moments before the end of the third quarter, Hannah Pearce made it 3-0 with a clinical low flick from another penalty corner.
Nigeria, who reached the final of the 2023 African Hockey Road to Tokyo event, struggled to make any meaningful attacking impact against a well-organised South African defence.
The gap widened early in the fourth quarter when Pearce struck again to make it 4-0, and Caylin Maree pounced just inside the circle to score her first international goal.
With the 5-0 win, South Africa topped their group and advanced to the final, where they will face Kenya or Ghana for the continental crown and a place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
The South African men’s hockey team had already sealed their place in the final ahead of Friday night's group game against Nigeria.
Sunday’s decider against the hosts will be a repeat of Monday night's dramatic group clash between the two continental powerhouses, which ended in a 3-3 draw, setting the tone for a fitting climax to the high-stakes continental tournament.