Nigeria’s Senior Men Handball team, the Golden Arrows, concluded their campaign at the 27th Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, with a 25–20 defeat to Angola in the 5th–6th place classification match at the BK Arena.
The Golden Arrows started brightly, displaying discipline and determination to take a 12–9 lead at halftime. Led by Hakeem Salami in attack, Coach Rafiu Salami’s side were organized in defence and effective going forward.
However, the second half saw a shift in momentum when Faruk Yusuf received a red card, marking his second dismissal of the tournament after a previous sending-off against Guinea. Playing a man down, Nigeria struggled to contain Angola, who increased their intensity and gradually took control.
Despite a spirited effort, Nigeria were outscored 16–8 in the second half, with Angola ultimately securing a 25–20 victory. Standout performers for Nigeria included Hakeem Salami, who scored five goals, and Azeez Sulaiman, who added four.
The defeat not only ended Nigeria’s campaign but also dashed their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 IHF World Championship in Germany, as Angola claimed Africa’s fifth World Cup slot.
Finishing sixth overall, the Golden Arrows demonstrated resilience and progress, facing some of the continent’s strongest handball nations and gaining valuable experience for future tournaments.
