Nigeria U-18 men’s handball emerged as champion of the IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Phase following their 33-25 victory over Ghana in the Youth category final on Saturday.
The coach Emeka Nnamani tutored side went into the match knowing that a victory for them would ensure they defended their title successfully and they went into the match with that determination and effectively caged Ghana to win the first half 15-9.
The second half was quite different as the Ghanaians, spurred on by their fans, started playing purposefully but Nigeria held on to win 33-25 to retain their title
They have qualified for the IHF Trophy Continental Phase where they will also defend their title against other champions of their zones. Nigeria’s U-18 men’s handball team will hope to win the continental phase to have a chance to qualify for the intercontinental phase.
Also, Nigeria U-20 men’s handball team led by coach Fidelis Obi, comfortably defeated Benin Republic 42-28 to finish on the podium in the third-place match in the Junior category of the IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Phase.
Unfortunately, they will not qualify for the continental phase as they couldn’t make it to the final following their shock defeat against Ivory Coast in the semi-finals.
Ghana U-20 men’s handball team are the champion of the Junior category after defeating Ivory Coast 32-28 to the joy of their teeming fans.
They have also qualified for the IHF Trophy Continental Phase in the U-20 category.
It will be the first time Ghana will qualify for the continental phase. It is also the first time two Anglophone countries (Nigeria and Ghana) will represent the Africa Zone 3 in the IHF Trophy.