Berhman tips Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams to shine

German coach and FIH coaching instructor Michael Berhman believes Nigeria’s men’s and women’s hockey teams can make a strong impression at the African Games after working with both squads during their preparations.

Berhman has been encouraged by the players’ technical level, their movement and their understanding of the game. His view is that Nigeria already has much of the ability needed to compete against leading teams on the continent.

The German coach believes the remaining work is centred on small but important improvements. Nigeria’s coaching staff are using the final phase of preparation to strengthen the teams’ tactical organisation and improve how they execute key actions during matches.

Berhman’s assessment offers encouragement to both squads as they prepare for the continental competition. He sees enough individual skill and athletic quality in the groups, but the players must combine those qualities more effectively as teams.

The FIH instructor has also argued that Nigerian hockey needs more international exposure. He believes domestic players and clubs would benefit from facing stronger opposition more regularly, helping them develop faster and reducing the distance between Nigeria and Africa’s established hockey nations.

The African Games will give the national teams an opportunity to test their progress against high-level opposition. For Nigeria, the immediate priority is to improve coordination, sharpen the finer details of their play and turn the technical ability within both squads into consistent collective performances.