Kenya to host six Nations at inaugural Hockey5s Youth Africa Cup
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 17.07.26. | 10:48
Scheduled for 6-8 August in Nairobi at the Dashmesh Hockey Stadium, the tournament will feature Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, with all six countries fielding teams in both genders
The African Hockey Federation (AfHF) has confirmed the six nations that will compete in the inaugural Hockey5s Youth Africa Cup (YAC) 2026, with hosts Kenya set to welcome the continent's rising stars in both the men's and women's competitions.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
Scheduled for 6-8 August in Nairobi at the Dashmesh Hockey Stadium, the tournament will feature Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, with all six countries fielding teams in both genders.
The championship will serve as the African qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey 5s World Cup, set to take place in December 2026.
The Youth Africa Cup marks a historic milestone as the first continental under-18 championship to be played in the Hockey5s format, underscoring the International Hockey Federation's commitment to growing the shortened version of the game while creating more international opportunities for young players.
With six teams in each competition, fans can expect three days of fast-paced action as the continent's best young talents battle for continental honors and the coveted World Cup qualification spots.
The top two teams in both the men's and women's tournaments will earn the right to represent Africa at the inaugural global championship later this year.
For hosts Kenya, the tournament presents an opportunity to capitalize on home advantage while continuing the country's strong tradition in African hockey.
The national under-18 boys' and girls' teams will be aiming to secure qualification for the World Cup in front of their home supporters, while also establishing themselves among the pioneers of the Hockey5s era.
South Africa enters the competition as one of the continent's traditional hockey powerhouses, while Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Malawi will also be looking to make history by booking their place at the first-ever Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
Hockey5s is a modern, fast-paced version of traditional field hockey played with five players on each side, including the goalkeeper, on a smaller playing surface.
The format features shorter matches, quick restarts, and high-scoring contests, making it an exciting spectacle for players and spectators alike while providing an ideal platform for youth development.
Kenya has already demonstrated its credentials in the format after competing at the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman, in 2024.
The men's national team reached the quarter-finals before finishing seventh overall, becoming one of Africa's best-performing nations at the historic tournament.
With Nairobi now set to host the inaugural Youth Africa Cup, Kenya has another opportunity to strengthen its standing as a continental leader in Hockey5s while inspiring the next generation of hockey talent.