Nigeria’s youth handball teams delivered a commanding performance on the regional stage, clinching double titles at the IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Phase in Lomé, Togo on Saturday.
The Under-18 team, coached by Abdulhakim Yakubu, displayed remarkable dominance and tactical discipline in the final, overpowering Ivory Coast 32–19 to emerge champions of the youth category.
In the Under-20 division, the Nigerian side, led by Coach David Emmanuel, sustained the winning momentum with another impressive outing, defeating Benin Republic 39–29 in the final. The team established early control with a 22–16 halftime lead and maintained their attacking intensity in the second half to seal a comfortable victory.
With these triumphs, both teams have been crowned champions of the Zone 3 tournament and have secured qualification for the IHF Trophy Africa Continental Phase later this year, where they will compete against top teams from across the continent.
The double success underscores Nigeria’s growing strength in youth handball development, reflecting ongoing grassroots investment championed by the National Sports Commission.
