Sports
Team Nigeria Celebrated on Return After Historic Bronze Medal Finish at African Hockey Cup of Nations
Joel Ajayi
Team Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams were received amid cheers and celebration on their return from Ismailia, Egypt, after a remarkable outing at the 2025 African Hockey Cup of Nations (ACN).
The men’s team made the nation proud by clinching the bronze medal — their best finish in recent years — following an emphatic 3–1 victory over Kenya in the third-place playoff. Star striker James Samaila was the tournament’s standout performer, finishing as the top scorer with an impressive eight goals.
Comprising entirely of home-based players who trained intensively for over six weeks in Abuja, both the men’s and women’s teams showcased determination, skill, and resilience against Africa’s hockey powerhouses, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and hosts Egypt.
While the women’s team narrowly missed out on a podium finish, their performance was widely applauded for its grit and improvement from previous campaigns.
Speaking on arrival, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, commended the teams for their spirited displays, describing the bronze medal as a significant milestone for Nigerian hockey.
“Our players showed true Nigerian spirit and fought with passion and discipline throughout the tournament. This bronze medal is a huge motivation for the future, and we’ll continue to build on this momentum to reach greater heights,” he said.
Engineer Nkom also expressed appreciation to the Sports Commission, sponsors, and fans for their steadfast support, reaffirming the Federation’s commitment to developing hockey at the grassroots level and providing more international exposure for Nigerian players.
The triumph in Egypt marks a new chapter of promise for Nigerian hockey, as the teams continue to grow in confidence and competitiveness on the continental stage.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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