Nigeria’s Under-18 Men’s Handball team has moved closer to securing a ticket to the 2027 IHF Men’s Under-19 Handball World Championship after defeating hosts Côte d’Ivoire 31-26 at the 22nd Africa Men’s Youth Handball Championship on Monday, September 21, in Abidjan.
The Coach Abdulhakim Yakubu-tutored side led 13-11 at halftime before maintaining its advantage in the second half to seal a five-goal victory in the 5th-8th placement match. Simon Abaaka was named the Most Valuable Player of the encounter following his impressive performance.
Nigeria will now face the winner of the other 5th-8th placement match between Cameroon and Rwanda in a decisive encounter. Victory in that match will see the Nigerian team finish fifth at the continental championship.
A fifth-place finish would earn Nigeria one of Africa’s five qualification tickets to the 2027 IHF Men’s Under-19 Handball World Championship. The young Nigerian team therefore needs one more victory to complete its qualification mission and secure a place at the global tournament.
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