Nigeria’s Under-18 Men’s Handball team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Men’s Youth Handball Championship in emphatic fashion after thrashing Madagascar 45-27 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Friday.
Sports247 reports that the Nigerian youngsters endured a competitive opening half before turning on the style after the break to secure a commanding victory and advance to the knockout stage of the continental championship.
Madagascar proved difficult to shake off in the first half, staying within striking distance as both teams battled for control of the encounter.
Nigeria, however, managed to establish a narrow 16-13 lead by half-time, setting the stage for a completely different performance after the interval.
The Nigerian side returned from the break with renewed intensity, raising the tempo of the game and producing a clinical attacking display.
Their offensive pressure quickly began to tell as Nigeria stretched the gap and took complete control of the contest. Madagascar struggled to contain the sustained Nigerian attacks as the scoreline continued to grow.
By the final whistle, Nigeria had established a massive 18-goal margin, completing a convincing 45-27 victory.
The result secured Nigeria’s progression to the quarter-finals and further boosted the team’s confidence as the competition moves into its decisive stage.
Akibu Muhammed was named Man of the Match for his outstanding contribution, earning individual recognition after playing a key role in Nigeria’s impressive performance.
The victory represents another significant step for the Nigerian U-18 team, who will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals with momentum firmly on their side.
After a closely contested first half, Nigeria’s ability to raise their level after the restart ultimately proved decisive, underlining the team’s attacking strength and determination to progress in Abidjan.
