IHF Challenge: Nigeria claims u-18 title, u-20s narrowly miss out

The u-18s will represent Africa in the intercontinental showpiece.

HANDBALL IHF Challenge: Nigeria claims u-18 title, u-20s narrowly miss out

Izuchukwu Akawor 13:53 - 21.01.2023

Nigeria's journey at the IHF Challenge Trophy in Congo ended in mixed results with the u-18s lifting the title unbeaten in Brazzaville, Congo.

The national under-18 male handball team have qualified for the IHF Trophy Intercontinental Championship with a hundred 100% record.

Coach Emeka Nnamani's side had to dig deep to see off a spirited Guinea after a 37-36 win in the final game.

Nigeria sealed one of two tickets on offer.

The Nigerian youngsters needed just a draw to seal to win the title while their rivals needed a victory.

It turned out to be a fierce battle between the two nations who were tied at 36:36 in the last minute before Nigeria scored the winner and secured the title.

With the result, Nigeria has qualified for the intercontinental championship in the youth category (under-18) without losing a match as they maintained 100% record from the Africa Zone 3 tournament in Ivory Coast till the final of the continental championship in Congo.

The u-20s finished the competition unbeaten.

They are also back-to-back champions of the IHF Challenge Trophy Continental Tournament as they also won it in 2018.

Under-20s

Meanwhile, their senior colleagues, the under-20s, were not so lucky to get a ticket for the Intercontinental championship.

In the under-20 category (Youth), Nigeria emphatically defeated host Congo 37-18 to end the tournament on a high.

The Nigerian handball team.

However, despite the excellent display and win, it was not enough as coach Fidelis Obi and his team lost out to Guinea on the head-to-head rule.

Guinea and Nigeria were tied on eight points in the end after Guinea also won their game against Madagascar 51:32.

Nigerian handball.

But the Guineans took the title, as they had earlier beaten Nigeria in a direct duel (28:26), the under-20's only defeat in the competition.

This confirms that Guinea will represent Africa in the under-20 category of the intercontinental championship.

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