Nigeria’s handball credentials on the continental stage will again be under the spotlight from this Tuesday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, as the country’s under-18 squad lines out for action versus Tunisia at the start of this year’s African championship.
Sports247 reports that, barely 48 hours after the nation’s under-20 squad placed third in the older version, Nigeria’s teenagers will also be in the hunt for continental glory at the 22nd Africa Men’s Youth Handball Championship with a tough opening fixture.
The match will take place at Palais des Sports, where Nigeria’s under 20 side finished with a bronze medal at the 33rd Africa Men’s Junior Handball Championship, which serves as a major source of inspiration for the younger team coached by Abdulhakim Yakubu.
Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) public relations officer and media commission vice-chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka Akisi added: “The 22nd Africa Men’s Cadet Handball Championship is being held in Abidjan, with Africa’s best young handball talents battling for continental honours.
“Nigeria and former champions, Tunisia are drawn in Group B alongside Algeria and Madagascar. The Nigerian team, led by Coach Abdulhakim Yakubu, will be hoping to secure a positive result against the North Africans before facing their other group opponents Algerian and Madagascar.
“Nigeria has never won the continental championship at this level as they finished second behind champion Benin Republic to earn second in the very first competition in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in the year 2000 and won bronze in the 2018 edition hosted Marakesh, Morocco.”
Sports247 reports further that the stage is set for a competitive group phase, with all teams aiming to start well in the hunt for global experience, as the tournament also serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 IHF Men’s U19 Handball World Championship.
