Nigeria’s male handball team on Friday secured a bronze medal by defeating the Benin Republic team 38-20 in their third-place match at the 13th African Games held in Accra, Ghana.
The team, commonly referred to as Golden Arrows, faced a setback in their quest for a gold medal after losing to DR Congo in the semi-finals of the competition.
However, determined to secure a podium finish for the first time since the Abuja 2003 Games, they put up an impressive performance against Benin Republic.
They minimized turnovers, capitalized on opportunities from the wings, and showcased solid defense, ultimately earning a well-deserved victory.
Coach Rafiu Salami expressed gratitude to the team for their triumph in the third-place match.
“We really wanted to play the final match. Kudos to the boys for winning a medal, and I congratulate them for the job well done,” he said.
The president of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Samuel Ocheho, said the team’s target was to pick a medal in their event.
“Congratulations to the players for winning a bronze medal. They will continue to rule the continent in their subsequent competitions,” he said.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the team has now amassed a total of four handball medals in the African Games.
These include bronze medals earned in Cairo 1991, Harare 1995, Abuja 2003, and Ghana 2024.
The 13th African Games, which commenced on March 8, are scheduled to conclude on March 13 in Accra, Ghana.