The South African women’s hockey team produced a composed and commanding display to defeat Nigeria 5-0 in their final group stage match at the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations in Ismailia, sealing their place in Sunday’s final and taking another step toward qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
It was the perfect start for the defending champions, as Jean-Leigh du Toit opened the scoring inside the very first minute with a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner. Despite controlling possession and territory for much of the first half, South Africa were once again faced with the familiar challenge of breaking down a compact and disciplined defensive block, taking a 1-0 lead into half-time.
The South Africans found another gear after the restart, showing greater fluency and precision in the attacking third. Quanita Bobbs, celebrating her 201st international cap, doubled the advantage with a stunning reverse-stick finish from a penalty corner variation – a goal that underlined both her experience and class.
Moments before the end of the third quarter, Hannah Pearce made it 3-0 with a clinical low flick from another penalty corner as South Africa’s dominance began to tell.
Nigeria, who famously 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, this time sending her drag flick low to the left and into the backboard to make it 4-0.
The victory was rounded off in style when Caylin Maree pounced just inside the circle to score her first international goal, sealing a confident and complete five-star performance from the South Africans.
With the result, South Africa top their group and advance to the final, where they will face either Kenya or Ghana for the continental crown and a place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Photo: Jan van Dyk
