Handball: Nigeria Beat Côte d’Ivoire, Chase World Cup Ticket
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
NIGERIA’S U-18 men’s handball team kept its World Championship qualification hopes alive with a 31–26 victory over Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
The Nigerian youngsters produced a disciplined performance in Monday’s 5th–8th placement match at the Africa Men’s Youth Handball Championship. They led 13–11 at the interval before finishing strongly to beat the hosts by five goals.
Abdulhakim Yakubu’s team controlled the contest when it mattered most. The players protected their halftime advantage and refused to allow the Ivorian side to complete a comeback.
Simon Abaaka stood out for Nigeria and received the match’s Most Valuable Player award for his contribution.
More importantly, the result leaves Nigeria one victory away from securing a place at the 2027 IHF Men’s Under-19 World Championship. The team’s next opponent will emerge from the other 5th–8th placement clash between Cameroon and Rwanda.
Nigeria must win that encounter to finish fifth in the continental competition. That position carries one of Africa’s five qualification tickets to the global championship.
The young Nigerians therefore know exactly what is at stake. One more victory will complete their qualification mission and give Yakubu’s team a chance to compete against the world’s best at the 2027 tournament.
