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, sealing their place in Saturday’s final and taking another step toward qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Ismailia, Egypt, on Friday, 17 October 2025.
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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 slender 1–0 lead into the halftime break.
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.
Women’s Fixtures and Results at the African Cup of Nations 2025 (All Times CAT)
Sat 11 Oct: Kenya 1-0 Nigeria
Sat 11 Oct: Ghana 8-1 Egypt
Sun 12 Oct: Ghana 5-1 Nigeria
Sun 12 Oct: South Africa 10-0 Egypt
Tue 14 Oct: Ghana 2-3 South Africa
Tue 14 Oct: Egypt 0-4 Kenya
Wed 15 Oct: Kenya 0-0 South Africa
Wed 15 Oct: Nigeria 2-0 Egypt
Fri 17 Oct, 10h00: South Africa 5-0 Nigeria
Fri 17 Oct, 12h00: Kenya 2-5 Ghana
Sat 18 Oct, 10h00, 3rd/4th: Kenya vs Nigeria
Sat 18 Oct, 14h30, Gold Medal Match: South Africa vs Ghana
South Africa
1 Morgan de Jager (GK)
4 Stephanie Botha
5 Edith Molikoe
7 Taheera Augousti
10 Onthatile Zulu
12 Ntsopa Mokoena
18 Hannah Pearce
21 Ongeziwe Mali
23 Jean-Leigh du Toit
26 Cailynn den Bakker
27 Kayla de Waal
28 Quanita Bobbs (C)
30 Caylin Maree
31 Marlise van Tonder (GK)
32 Tegan Fourie
34 Ané Janse van Vuuren
35 Lerato Mahole
40 Jeanri Thomas
Nigeria
1 Martha Uko (GK)
2 Alfa John (C)
3 Hannah Hossanah
4 Iveren Ajekwe
5 Morufat Adeyemi
6 Joy Christopher
7 Faith Obukowho
8 Comfort Obeka
9 Queen Esther Njoku
10 Comfort Saturday
11 Esther Chukwu
12 Ruth Mathias
13 Benedicta Johnson
14 Mary Danboyi
15 Zahirat Musa
16 Esther Billo
18 Susanna Gonah
22 Sarah Emmanuel (GK)
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: 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, sealing their place in Saturday’s final and taking another step toward qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Ismailia, Egypt, on Friday, 17 October 2025. All Photos: Jan van Zyl
Photo 2 Caption: Onthatile Zulu in control driving the South African attack up the field against Nigeria in their final group stage match.
Photo 3 Caption: South Africa will face Ghana in the continental final on Saturday as both nations seek Africa’s qualification to the World Cup.
