The countdown to the inaugural Hockey5s Youth Africa Cup (YAC) 2026 has gathered momentum after the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) released the official match schedule for the continental championship, with hosts Kenya facing an immediate test against regional rivals in both the men’s and women’s competitions.The tournament will run from 6 to 8 August in Nairobi and will serve as the African qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, scheduled for December 2026. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsSix nations Kenya, Ghana,Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda were initially confirmed for the competition, although the released fixtures feature five teams in the women’s event, with Malawi absent from the match schedule.Kenya’s under-18 women’s side will officially open the tournament on Thursday, 6 August, taking on neighbours Uganda at 10:00am before returning to face continental heavyweights South Africa at 1:45 pm.The opening day also sees the Kenyan men’s team begin its campaign against South Africa at 10:45am before concluding the day’s action with another tough encounter against Nigeria at 3:15pm.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872200##South Africa and Uganda headline the remaining men’s fixtures on Thursday at 2:30pm while Nigeria meet Uganda earlier at 12:15pm.In the women’s competition, Nigeria take on South Africa at 11:30am, before Ghana face Uganda at 1:00pm.Action resumes on Friday, 7 August, with South Africa meeting Uganda in the women’s category at 10:00am followed by Nigeria against Ghana at 10:45am.Kenya’s men’s team returns to the pitch at 11:30am against Uganda before South Africa and Nigeria clash at 12:15pm.Alfayo, Somali Boxer trade barbs ahead of much-anticipated Kiambu Fight NightThe hosts’ women’s side will then face Ghana at 1:00pm,while Uganda and Nigeria complete the day’s fixtures at 1:45pm.Saturday’s programme begins with the final women’s round-robin matches, as Ghana face South Africa at 10:00am, followed by Nigeria against Kenya at 10:45am.Those fixtures will determine the final standings ahead of the medal matches.The men’s classification match between the third and fourth-placed teams is scheduled for 11:30am, before the championship final between the top two teams at 12:15pm.The women’s bronze medal match follows at 1:00pm, with the inaugural Women’s Youth Africa Cup final bringing the tournament to a close at 1:45pm.The championship represents a landmark moment for African hockey as it introduces the continent’s first-ever Youth Africa Cup under the Hockey5s format. Played with five players per side on a reduced-size pitch, Hockey5s offers a faster, more attacking version of the game, with shorter matches and quick transitions designed to increase spectator appeal.Madina Okot achieves another WNBA milestone as Dream secure comeback winFor Kenya, hosting the inaugural edition provides an opportunity to build on the country’s growing reputation in Hockey5s. The national men’s team competed at the first FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman, in 2024, reaching the quarter-finals before finishing seventh overall. Now, Kenya’s next generation will look to write its own chapter in history by securing qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup on home soil.
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