By Daniel Edu
In a thrilling opening match at the ongoing Africa Women’s Youth Handball Championship in Monastir, Tunisia, the Nigerian National Under-18 women’s handball team secured a resounding victory over their Algerian counterparts with a final score of 28-18.
The Nigerian team displayed their prowess and determination, making their nation proud with an impressive performance. The first half of the game ended in a tense draw, with both teams locked at 10-10.
However, Nigeria came roaring back in the second half, dominating their North African opponents by scoring 18 points to Algeria’s 8. This commanding performance resulted in a final score of 28-18 in favor of Nigeria.
Coach Shittu Agboola of the Nigerian team commended his players for their strong start, emphasizing that it was a promising beginning. He noted that tactical adjustments were made during the match to address issues like unnecessary turnovers. Agboola also highlighted the team’s adherence to instructions as a key factor in their success, affirming their serious commitment to winning all their games.
Taiwo Babatunde, a member of the Nigerian team, was named the Most Valuable Player of the match.
Nigeria is competing in Group A alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Guinea. Their next match is scheduled against Guinea on Sunday at 4 p.m. The 19th Africa Women’s Youth Handball Championship, which commenced on Saturday, is set to conclude on September 23.