The 2026 Nigeria Hockey Super League (NHSL) got underway in Abuja on Friday, as the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) deepened its collaboration with Germany to strengthen coaching, player development and infrastructure, while defending champions Kada Stars marked the opening day with a commanding 4-0 victory over Southwest.
The opening ceremony at the National Hockey Pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, showcased not only competitive action but also the federation’s renewed commitment to repositioning Nigerian hockey through strategic international partnerships, youth development and improved technical standards.
On the pitch, Kada Stars underlined their championship credentials with a dominant display against Southwest in the Pool A encounter, scoring twice in each half through a blend of clinical penalty-corner conversions and field goals.
Victor Kish opened the scoring in the seventh minute after converting a penalty corner before Eikana Ibrahim doubled the advantage seven minutes later with a field goal to hand Kada Stars a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead.
Southwest’s challenge became more difficult after Omolade Olasukanmi received a yellow card in the 20th minute, while captain Umar Adamu was also cautioned in the 39th minute.
Daniel Janar added a third goal in the 50th minute from another penalty corner before Ibrahim completed his brace four minutes later with a composed field goal to seal an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Captain Kelvin Linus credited the result to months of preparation and insisted the defending champions remain focused on retaining their crown.
“We prepared very well for this tournament. We always come up against teams like this and we believe in ourselves.
“We have been in several finals before and achieved success. This time, we trained very, very hard because our target is another podium finish,” he said.
The opening day also produced several convincing results. Police Machine overwhelmed IGP Flickers 9-1, Stallions defeated Adamawa State 2-0, while Niger Flickers and Plateau Tigers settled for a 2-2 draw.
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In the women’s category, Kada Queens thrashed Southwest 6-0, Plateau Queens defeated IGP Babes 5-0, while Delta Queens recorded a 5-0 victory over Yobe Desert Queens.
Representing the President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation, Simon Nkom, NHF Vice President and former international, Tunde Popoola said the standard displayed on the opening day reflected the federation’s efforts to restore Nigerian hockey to its former glory.
Popoola, who played for Kada Stars when the Abuja hockey pitch was commissioned in 2003, recalled that the facility ranked among the world’s best at the time.
“I played on this pitch when it was new in 2003. It was regarded as one of the best hockey pitches in the world. Nigerian hockey was among the best then.
“We experienced a decline, but now it is coming back because there are dedicated and committed people determined to return the sport to where it belongs,” he said.
He credited the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for helping drive the federation’s revival agenda.
According to Popoola, noticeable improvements in coaching, tactics and players’ commitment have raised the overall quality of the game.
“The standard of hockey has improved. There is more structure, better coaching and greater commitment from the players. The gap between established teams and developing sides is gradually closing,” he added.
While backing Kada Stars to remain title contenders, Popoola cautioned that the race for the championship remains open.
Meanwhile, the federation’s drive to improve standards has also received international support with the arrival of former Germany women’s national team head coach Michael Behrmann under a sports development initiative backed by the German government.
Behrmann said his assignment is to support the development of Nigerian coaches and contribute his experience to the country’s hockey programme.
“I’ve seen great matches today and a lot of enthusiasm. I hope to support Nigerian hockey with my knowledge and help develop coaches.
“I was impressed by some of the men’s players and I’m looking forward to watching the women’s competition,” he said.
He disclosed that Nigeria is the first African country on his assignment before similar coaching engagements in Egypt and Ghana.
The 2026 Nigeria Hockey Super League features nine men’s teams Kada Stars, Police Machine, Niger Flickers, Stallions, Adamawa State, Plateau Tigers, IGP Flickers, Southwest and Yobe Desert Rollers and seven women’s teams: Kada Queens, Plateau Queens, Delta Queens, Yobe Desert Queens, IGP Babes, Southwest and Edo Queens.
The competition will run until July 5, at the National Hockey Pitch, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
