Kenya Women’s Hockey Team Eyes Podium Finish at 2025 Afcon

Caroline Guchu in action during the Olympics qualifiers against Zambia in South Africa. (South African Hockey Association)

The national women’s hockey team has set its sights on securing a podium finish at the upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations (Afcon), set to take place from October 11 to 18 in Ismailia, Egypt.

Head coach Meshack Senge expressed confidence in his team’s preparations and performance potential as they gear up for the continental showdown. “We’ve always aimed to give our best, and this time is no different. Our goal is clear, we want to finish on the podium,” said Senge.

Kenya finished third in the last edition of the tournament held in Ghana in 2022, clinching the bronze medal behind Egypt and the hosts. With this achievement in mind, Senge believes the team has what it takes to match or improve upon that performance.

The squad, comprising a mix of seasoned players and promising young talent, has been undergoing intensive training at City Park Hockey Stadium. Their regimen focuses on strength, agility, and endurance to sharpen their edge ahead of the championship.

“In terms of our preparation, I believe we’ve done well. We’ve met our targets, hit our milestones, and everything is progressing according to plan,” added Senge.

To further fine-tune their game, the team has lined up a series of friendly matches in the run-up to the tournament, aiming to test their strategies against top-tier opponents.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan men’s team, which is also in camp, is looking to improve on its fourth-place finish at the 2022 edition, where they narrowly missed out on a medal behind Nigeria, Egypt, and champions South Africa.

With both teams preparing rigorously, Kenyan hockey fans remain hopeful for a strong showing in Ismailia and a potential double podium finish.

Written By Rodney Mbua