–Hostilities begin on Wednesday_. By Chinedum Ohanusi
All but one of the twenty-two (22) teams, Confluence Stars of Lokoja have arrived in Lagos, for the final phase of the 2024 Nigeria Premier Handball League, sponsored by Oil and Gas giants, Ardova (Nig) Plc.
In the absence of Confluence Stars (in acrimonious circumstances), the twenty-one (21) teams that started the league, when the first phase held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City; that’s eleven (11) men’s, and ten (10) teams in the women’s category, looked battle ready and reenergized for the fireworks ahead, after a deserved break.
The absence of Confluence Stars, we authoritatively gathered stemmed from a seeming inability of the HFN Secretariat to properly correspond with the team, which was involved in a near fatal auto crash on their way back to Lokoja, after the 2023 finals in Lagos.
Like the first phase in Benin, the second phase in Lagos will be played on a round robin basis, culminating in the emergence of the men’s and women’s champions of the 2024; a season that has been described as the most competitive in recent years.
Niger United of Minna are the reigning men’s champions, but the Ikon Allah Boys are trailing log leaders, TojeMarine Academy of Lagos, by 4 points in the table, same as Rima Strikers of Sokoto, who are joint second with 29 points, but Rima Strikers have got a superior goals difference, compared to the men from Minna.
Niger United are 3rd on the log, one spot better than former winners, FRSC Safety Shooters of Abuja (27 points); while winners of the 2021 and 2022 championships Kano Pillars HC (25 points) are 5th.
While many pundits believe the 2024 title is for the youngsters of TojeMarine Academy, and their tactically mature Head Coach, Shittu Adesina Agboola to lose; the chasing pack of Kano Pillars, Safety Shooters, and even Rima Strikers who are seeking to be crowned champions for the first time at this level, have all warned that they are still in the hunt for glory, and should not be written off, just yet.
On the other hand, FRSC Safety Babes of Abuja, are the frontrunners in the women’s category, with 27 points – 4 points clear of their city rivals, Defender Babes of Abuja.
Safety Babes have won all editions of the championship, since it was revitalized by the Board of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), ably led by Samuel Ocheho; and the serial winners are still overwhelming favourites to subdue all oppositions, and retain their coveted crown, this year.
Meanwhile, the matches will commence today at two venues, the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Surulere Lagos, and the Rowe Park Sports Center, Yaba, Lagos; and will run through to the last day, 8th of December.
There was a technical meeting of all of the team officials, Coaches, Referees and Delegates at the Rowe Park Sports Center yesterday, as announced by the Secretary General of the HFN, Mallam Almu Umar Lambu; and the meeting was devoted to reminding all of the new rules of the league, amongst other important discussions.
