Kenya women’s national hockey team striker Eleanor ChebetKenya women’s national hockey team striker Eleanor Chebet's target is to upgrade their 2022 bronze to gold during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for October 11–18 in Ismailia, Egypt.
The team, which finished behind South Africa and hosts Ghana at the last edition in Accra, have intensified training at Nairobi’s City Park Stadium.
“Last time, we bagged bronze. This year, we’re aiming for the gold medal. We’re well-prepared and confident, although we know it won’t be easy,” Chebet said.
She added that both the women’s and men’s sides are motivated to deliver stronger performances at the continental stage.
Head coach Meshack Senge believes the side has what it takes to challenge the favourites this time round.
“We are not going to Egypt just to participate. We want to challenge the top sides. Our girls have shown great discipline, and if we continue at this pace, we’ll be a strong unit by October,” said Senge. He said the team is focused on improving midfield transitions and execution on set-pieces.
Across the pitch, the men’s team is also deep in preparation as they seek to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2022, where they trailed Nigeria, Egypt and champions South Africa.
The men are under the tutelage of coach Michael Malungu, who led Western Jaguars to a historic Premier League title last season. He is banking on a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent to push Kenya toward qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup. “We’ve instructed our players to continue working on their technical skills at club level because that’s where they spend most of their time,” Malungu said.
“Our team training focuses on enhancing strength, agility, and endurance, which are critical at the top level.”
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will not only crown the continent’s best but also determine who earns a coveted slot at the next global showpiece—an added motivation for both Kenyan teams.
