Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) officials are taking stock of issues and developments, after the country’s men’s under-18 team failed to qualify for next year’s world championship from the ongoing African qualifiers.
Sports247 reports that this comes after the squad lost their last qualification chance for the 2027 IHF U-19 Handball World Championship after defeat by Cameroon in a last gasp classification match.
When least expected, the Nigerian lads fell 32-30 to Cameroon via penalties on Tuesday during a fifth-place match at the Africa Men’s Youth Handball Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
A report by HFN press officer and media commission vice-chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka Akisi revealed: “The encounter ended 27-27 after regulation time, following 12-12 at halftime, forcing the match into a seven-metre penalty shootout to determine the winner.
“Cameroon held their nerve during the shootout, outscoring the Nigerian side 5-3 to secure a 32-30 overall victory and claim fifth place in the championship.
“The defeat ends Nigeria’s hopes of securing one of Africa’s five qualification tickets to the 2027 IHF Under-19 Handball World Championship.”
Sports247 learnt further that the team coached by Abdulhakim Yakubu got a last chance to hook qualification after they defeated hosts Côte d’Ivoire 31-26 in another placement match, but that glimmer of hope vanished on Tuesday with their loss to Cameroon.
 officials are taking stock of issues and developments, after the country's men's under-18 team failed to qualify for next year's world championship from the ongoing African qualifiers.){kind=link}