Nigeria’s under 18 men’s handball team secured a decisive victory against host Ethiopia, winning 47-31 at the IHF Trophy Africa Men Continental Phase in Addis Ababa.
The match, held on Monday, showcased Nigeria’s offensive strength and defensive resilience.
Nigeria, led by Coach Emeka Nnamani, came into the game with high confidence after defeating Zambia in their opening match.
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They continued their dominant form, ending the first half with a substantial lead of 25-16. Despite the home crowd’s support, Ethiopia struggled to keep pace with Nigeria’s rapid scoring.
In the second half, Ethiopia showed some improvement, particularly in their shooting accuracy. However, Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Samuel Obabori, delivered another MVP performance, mirroring his crucial saves from the previous match against Zambia.
Obabori’s efforts were instrumental in maintaining Nigeria’s lead, coupled with the consistent scoring from Nigeria’s outfield players. This combination ensured a comprehensive 47-31 victory.
Samuel Obabori was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his exceptional goalkeeping, which included several vital saves that thwarted Ethiopia’s attempts to close the gap.
Coach Emeka Nnamani praised the team’s resilience and execution of the tactical plan, especially under the pressure of playing against the host nation and their enthusiastic fans.
“I am very happy because we achieved our objective in the match despite playing against the host and their fans. We knew that a victory for us will give us an easy access to the semi-finals, and the boys did their part in actualizing our tactical plan,” said Coach Nnamani.
Nigeria will face Cameroon in the semi-final on Tuesday at 5 pm Nigerian time, aiming to continue their impressive run and secure a spot in the finals of the competition.
The team’s strong performance so far has positioned them as one of the favorites to win the tournament, reflecting their preparation and skill on the continental stage.
