Handball: Nigeria Wins IHF Africa Men Continental Championship

Nigeria’s Under 18 men’s Handball team are now champions of the International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy Africa Men’s Continental Championship after defeating Guinea 38-26 in the finals of the tournament in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Coach Emeka Nnamani’s tutored side started the match with grit and despite some avoidable turnovers, Nigeria won the first half 21-14. Nigeria then came into their full element in the second half as they played with panache and flair.

Notable efforts from Christian Foloki and Azeez Sulaimon led the team to score important goals and defended better against the Guineans to win the match 38-26.

Stand up for the champion people.

Nigeria dominated and came top at the @ihfhandball Trophy Africa Men Continental Phase in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.#Champions pic.twitter.com/jEabthuQwG

— Handball Federation Of Nigeria (@Handballnigeria) November 7, 2024

With this victory, Nigeria has retained the title they won in Congo Brazzaville in 2022. Sulaimon was voted the Player of the match.

• Read more: Nigeria’s U-18 Handball Team Faces Zambia

In a statement by Cosmos Akisi, the media officer of Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Coach Nnamani shared his thoughts on the team’s performance.

“What more can I say? We prepared for this moment and the boys took it with all seriousness,” Nnamani said. “We knew the Guineans from the previous times we played them and we watched their matches in this competition so we can tactically prepare for them which we did.”

“Thanks to the HFN, they ensured that we made it to this competition despite the flight delay and gave us all the necessary backing to do well.”

Nigeria has now qualified for the IHF Trophy Intercontinental phase, which will be played early next year in a yet to be known country where they will represent Africa in the Under 18 (Youth) category.