Giants South Africa men and women teams successfully retained the hockey Africa Cup of Nations titles in Nairobi on Saturday.

With hosts Kenya (women) and Ghana (men) winning the bronze medals on Friday, the battle for bragging rights and a chance to represent the continent at the World Cup in Dutch city of Hague, was left to champions South Africa, Egypt (men) and Ghana (women).

South Africa men team, exhibited high skills of Hockey as they limited Egypt to chase. They scored two field goals to claim a 2-0 victory and a ticket to Hague for the World Cup.

South Africa women team came from 2-0 down to edge out determined Ghana 3-2 in an entertaining final match.

"I have to say, I am happy for retaining the title. However, it was sad because the team did not play well," said South Africa women team coach Fabian Gregory.

"We have so much to do to up our game and be ready for the World Cup against some of the best teams. We need to score more goals and today, we were not doing just that, especially in the first half."

For Ghana, it was the best they could offer, and have to blame a last minute blip that enabled 19-year-old Tanya Britz to net the winner for South Africa.

"I think we played to our fullest. We are not that good against South Africa and they deserve to go to the World Cup. It was the best we could do and to lead them 2-0 at half time was a great effort," said Ghana's team captain Georgina Sam.

The West Africans opened the scoring just three minutes into the match when forward Elizabeth Opuku beat South Africa's goalkeeper Hanli Hattingh. She got her second after ten minutes to see Ghana have a 2-0 lead at half time.

But South Africa came back stronger in the second half and Tanya Britz cleverly flick set up Cecilia Evans to score a field goal.

Ghana's own goal by Nafi Umaru levelled the scores before Britz netted in the injury time to have a 3-2 win.

Only five countries were present for the tournament -- host Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and Egypt. The five will also meet in the Commonwealth Games qualifiers early next year.