The South African men’s hockey team beat 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.
Photo: Jan van Zyl
