Nigeria’s under-18 men’s handball team achieved a remarkable feat on Wednesday by being crowned champions of the IHF Trophy Africa Men Continental Phase.
The handball team’s victory was secured with a convincing score of 38-26 against Guinea during the final match held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The final event was attended by officials from the Ethiopian central government, alongside representatives from the Nigerian embassy. Among them was the Minister of the Embassy, Mr. Boco Effiom Mbo.
During the game, Nigeria’s handball team, under the leadership of Coach Emeka Nnamani, entered the match with a clear sense of purpose and determination.
Despite experiencing some preventable turnovers early in the game, they managed to control the first half well, ending it with a score of 21-14 in their favour.
As the second half commenced, Nigeria fully unleashed their potential, showcasing an impressive blend of skill, flair, and teamwork.
Key players like Christian Foloki, who recovered from a minor injury sustained in the semi-final match against Cameroon, alongside top scorer Azeez Sulaimon, played pivotal roles in maintaining the team’s momentum.
They effectively executed strategic plays and bolstered their defence against the Guinean side, leading to a decisive victory of 38-26. This triumph allowed the team to successfully defend their title, which they had previously won in Congo Brazzaville two years earlier.
Azeez Sulaimon Olaitan’s outstanding performance in the final did not go unnoticed; he was honoured as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, a testament to his significant contribution to the team’s success.
In a post-match interview, Coach Emeka Nnamani expressed immense pride in his team, highlighting the rigorous preparation that went into their campaign. He emphasized the seriousness with which the players approached the final, commending their tactical awareness and preparation against their Guinean counterparts, having analyzed their previous matches in the tournament.
He said, “What more can I say? We prepared for this moment, and the boys took it with all seriousness. We knew the Guineans from the previous times we played them and watched their matches in this competition so we could tactically prepare for them, which we did.”