Nigeria under 18 men handball emerged 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 will ensure they defend 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, starting 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 under 18 men handball team will hope to win the continental phase to have a chance to qualify for the intercontinental phase.
Also, Nigeria under 20 men handball team led by Coach Fidelis Obi, comfortably defeated Benin Republic 42-28 to finish on 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 final.
Ghana under 20 men 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 under 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
