Head Coach of Tojemarine Academy of Lagos, Shittu Adewunmi has described the stuttering form of defending men’s champions, Kano Pillars and former champions, FRSC Safety Shooters of Abuja as “good omens and a welcomed development”.
Coach Adewunmi stated this in an exclusive chat with Sports Day, on the sidelines of Gameday-3 of Phase 2 of the Ardova Premier Handball League, going on in Lagos.
After trailing the log leaders, Niger United of Minna by five (5) and two (2) points respectfully, Kano Pillars fell further behind on Day-1 to a shocking 23-27 defeat to North-West rivals Rima Strikers of Sokoto; whilst Safety Shooters fell 25-28 to the youngsters of s Tojemarine Academy, in a game that kept fans at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute for Sports, in Surulere, Lagos at the edge of their seats for almost all of the second half of the thrilling encounter.
The youngsters of Tojemarine Academy also out-classed Nigeria Police 39-26 on Day-2, and on Wednesday added Confluence Boys of Lokoja (32-21) to the list of teams they have defeated, to take their points tally to 33, just 3 points off the pace of Niger United, who have also won all of their games so far, to cling to top spot, with 36 points, earned from 13 matches.
“But as you know, it’s a league and we can’t do it alone. Our aspiration is to win the title this time, having put in so much in Benin and now in Lagos. It’s our feverent hope that one or two other teams will take points off Niger United, and make it a bit easier for us when we meet on the final day”.
Even when Safety Shooters somehow recovered from their opening loss, to beat Confluence Boys of Lokoja 22-18 on Day-2; Pillars aka Sai-Masugida could only draw 21-21 with Correctional Boys of Abuja; suggesting to many that all may not be well, with Coach Solomon Yola tutored side, who had barely tasted defeat in the previous two seasons (2021 and 2022), they won, and retained the Prudent Energy title.
The other team from Lagos, Seasiders have also had an impressive run and with 33 points, they only trail Tojemarine Academy by inferior goals difference.
Most managers spoken to, like Coach Shittu Adewunmi rates the standard of the concluding phase “very high”, especially in the quality of refereeing, competitiveness, injection of younger players in virtually all the teams, as well as media coverage; and reserved special praise for the Board of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), led by Samuel Ocheho for all of these achievements.
