Nigeria national handball team started their 2020 Africa Nations Cup campaign with a loss as they were defeated by Angola in Tunis, Tunisia.
The senior male handball team, who started the match slowly against Angola lost 30-24 as they lost in the first half 17-10 and a second half comeback which earned them a 14-13 was not enough to undo the slow start of the first half.
Technical adviser coach Rafiu Salami, despite praising the fighting spirit of the boys in the second half, bemoaned the slow start of the team in the first half which gave the Angolans the chance to show their superiority.
He however, insist that the goal of qualifying for the world cup is still on course as Nigeria will qualify from group B to to compete for the world cup ticket.
Coach Salami, urged Nigerians not to give up on the team but continue to support them ahead of the next match against Gabon on Friday.
In other group B match, Gabon and Libya played out and interesting but intense 22-22 draw in the Africa Nations Cup ongoing in Tunisia.
Nigeria must ensure they get a win over Gabon to stand a chance of qualifying out of group B.
