By Amaechi Agbo
Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 men’s handball teams have emerged champions of the International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy Africa Zone 3 tournament after commanding victories in their respective finals in Lomé on Saturday.
The Coach Abdulhakim Yakubu tutored Under-18 side delivered a dominant display in the Youth final, defeating Ivory Coast 32–19 to clinch the title.
Nigeria controlled proceedings from the outset, taking a 14–9 lead into halftime before extending their advantage in the second half to seal a comprehensive victory.
The triumph caps an impressive run for the Under-18 team, who remained consistent throughout the tournament, showcasing their attacking strength and defensive discipline en route to the title.
In the Junior category, the Under-20 team, guided by Coach David Emmanuel, also produced a commanding performance to defeat Benin Republic 39–29 in the final. Nigeria established early dominance with a 22–16 halftime lead and maintained their intensity after the break to secure a deserved win.
The victory completes a remarkable double for Nigeria, underlining the country’s growing strength in youth handball within the region.
By virtue of their triumphs, both teams have now qualified to represent Zone 3 at the IHF Trophy Africa Continental Phase scheduled to hold later in the year, where they will compete against the best teams from across the continent.
The tournament, organised by the International Handball Federation, continues to serve as a vital platform for developing young talents, and Nigeria’s success in Lomé further reinforces their status as a powerhouse in African handball.
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