Niger United’s quest to finish strong as the winner of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023 suffered a set back as they lost to Rima Strikers on day 9 of the second phase ongoing in Lagos.

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The 2018 Ardova Handball Premier League champion met a determined Rima Strikers who have taken bigger scalps such as Kano Pillars, Safety Shooters and Tojemarine Academy and lost 31-30.

Coach Adebayo Yekini who spoke to HFN TV thereafter, attributed the loss to fatigue even when praising his boys for playing to instruction which ensured they came from a 6 goal down to lose with one point.

Other games in the male category saw Confluence Stars defeating Benue Buffaloes 28-27 while Correction Boys won Police Machine 27-25.

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Tojemarine Academy annihilated 41-16 while goalkeeper Emmanuel Joseph’s several breathtaking saves inspired De Defenders to earn a 23-15 victory over Seasider Boys of Lagos.

Kano Pillars defeated Safety Shooters 28-26

In the women category, former champion Plateau Peacocks defeated Delta Queens 18-17 while Rima Queens defeated Imo Grasshoppers 31-21.

Day 9 Results
Men
1) Confluence Stars–Benue Buffaloes 28–27.
2) Police Machine — Correction Boys 25–27.
3) Tojemarine Academy–Bendel Dynamos 41–16.
4) Lagos Seasiders–D:Defenders 15–23.
5) Rima Strikers–Niger United 31–30.
6) Safety Shooters–Kano Pillars 26–28.

Women
1) Delta Queens–Plateau Peacocks 17–18.
2) Rima Queens–Imo Grasshoppers 31–21.