Nigeria’s handball team has secured a place in the final of the IHF Trophy Africa men’s continental phase.
The under-18 Nigeria’s handball team achieved a hard-fought victory over Cameroon with a final score of 44-33 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday, November 6.
This triumph comes as a significant milestone for the defending champions, who are determined to reclaim their title.
Under the astute leadership of coach Emeka Nnamani, the Nigerian handball team displayed remarkable resilience and tactical prowess against a Cameroonian side known for its strong defensive strategies.
From the very beginning of the match, Nigeria demonstrated their offensive strength, effectively utilizing fast breaks and scoring more frequently from the wings. By the end of the first half, they had managed to establish a solid lead, finishing at 22-15.
As the second half commenced, Nigeria maintained their momentum. Left-back Christian Bolaji emerged as a standout player, taking charge of the game and contributing crucial goals from both the nine-meter line and the wing positions. His performance was instrumental in ensuring that Nigeria extended their lead and ultimately clinched the match with a convincing 44-33 scoreline.
A noteworthy moment in the match occurred at its conclusion when Foloki suffered an injury due to a collision with the Cameroonian goalkeeper while attempting to secure the ball. Despite this setback, his exceptional performance during the game earned him the title of Most Valuable Player.
After the match, coach Nnamani expressed his pride in the team’s determination and effort in overcoming a challenging opponent. He stated, “I am very excited that we did enough to defeat Cameroon in the semi-final. I want to praise the boys for doing everything humanly possible and fighting hard against Cameroon. Now we will make sure we do our best in the final to qualify for the intercontinental phase.”
Nigeria is set to face Guinea in the final match scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. Nigeria time.