IHF Trophy U18 Men’s Continental Phase: Holders Nigeria Beats Guinea, Crowned Back-to-Back Champions
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Nigeria’s fast rising profile in all sphares of handball, was further enhanced yesterday, when the nation’s Under-18 men’s handball team, downed familiar foes, Guinea 38-26, in the final of the 2024 International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy Africa youth continental phase.
Victory in Addis Ababa, against fellow West Africans, Guinea was the fourth straight win for Nigeria at the tournament, and it was preceded by defeats of Zambia, host nation Ethiopia, neighbours Cameroun, and ultimately the Guineans.
The Coach Emeka Nnamani tutored side started the final with the right mentality, and despite some avoidable turnovers, they led the first half by seven goals; 21-14.
The Under-18 Golden Arrows were a better team in the second half, and played with some panache and flair, with MVP of the semi-final win against Cameroun on Tuesday, Christian Foloki, able to play again, after shaking off the knock he had in the very last minute of the game against Central Africans.
However, it was another emerging star, Azeez Sulaiman who led the onslaught against the Guineans, by scoring important goals, while leading the defence line against the Guineans, as Nigeria won the match 38-26 to retain the title they won in Congo Brazaville, two years ago.
Azeez Sulaimon Olaitan was later voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final match.
Meanwhile, Coach Nnamani later told the media, that the team prepared well for the tournament, and for the moment, and approached the final with all seriousness.
While thanking the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) led by Mr. Samuel Ocheho for the 100% support the team got, starting from the IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Phase in Accra Ghana, to this continental phase.
“What more can I say? We prepared for this moment and the boys took it with all seriousness. We knew the Guineans from the previous times we played them and we watched their matches in this competition, so we were tactically well prepare for them”. Coach Nnamani asserted.
“Of course, the real MVP is the Handball Federation of Nigeria led by Mr. Samuel Ocheho, represented here by Alhaji Abdukadiri Hussaini Mohammed, who is a member of the HFN Board. The support we got from them, right from the Zone 3 Phase to the continental phase were tremendous. They ensured that we made it to this competition despite the flight delay and gave us all the necessary backing to do well.” Coach Nnamani added.
Wednesday’s final, played was graced by top officials from the Ethiopian Central Government, and officials of the Nigeria embassy, led by Minister of the embassy Mr. Boco Effiom Mbo.
Some of the other dignitaries in attendance at the finale are His Excellency the Prime Minister of Guinea Mr. Bah Oury, who was the Guest of Honour; the Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports, the first Vice President of CAHB, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea, and Presidents of Handball Federation of some of the participating countries.
With the victory, Nigeria has qualified for the IHF Trophy Intercontinental phase, which will be played early next year in a yet to be known country, where they will for the second time in a row, fly the banner of Africa in the Under-18 (Youth) Category.
