Nigeria’s handball team has earned a place in the final of the IHF Trophy Africa Men Continental Phase after securing a 44-33 victory over Cameroon in a thrilling semi-final clash on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The defending champions demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the match, overcoming a well-organized Cameroon side to advance to the final where they will face Guinea.
From the first whistle, Nigeria, led by head coach Emeka Nnamani, set the tone of the match, displaying an attacking approach focused on fast breaks and wing play. Cameroon, known for their strong defensive strategies, put up a fight early on, but Nigeria’s pace and sharp shooting proved too much to handle.
Despite the tactical discipline of the Cameroonian defense, Nigeria’s offense managed to break through, and they led 22-15 at the end of the first half.
Key to Nigeria’s dominance in the first half was their ability to score quickly off fast breaks and capitalize on Cameroon’s occasional lapses in transition.
The Nigerian side was efficient in exploiting the wide spaces left open on the wings, with some brilliant runs and quick passes leading to easy goals.
In the second half, Nigeria continued their relentless attacking play, and left-back Christian Foloki Bolaji emerged as the standout performer. Bolaji, who was instrumental throughout the match, continued to control the game with his powerful shots from the 9-meter line and from the wings.
His ability to score under pressure and create opportunities for his teammates allowed Nigeria to maintain their lead and extend it further in the second half.
Bolaji’s performance was especially commendable given the tough challenges Cameroon presented. The match was physically intense, and the Cameroonian defense was often aggressive, making it difficult for the Nigerian attackers to find clear shooting lanes.
However, Bolaji’s skill and poise under pressure made a significant difference, and his goals were crucial in ensuring Nigeria’s comfortable victory.
Unfortunately, Bolaji sustained an injury in the final minute of the match after a collision with Cameroon’s goalkeeper, but the injury did not detract from his exceptional performance.
He was later named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, a recognition well deserved for his key role in securing Nigeria’s place in the final.
Speaking after the match, Coach Emeka Nnamani expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and praised their determination and resilience. “I am very excited that we did enough to defeat Cameroon in the semi-final. I want to praise the boys for doing everything humanly possible.
They fought hard against Cameroon, and I am proud of the effort they put in,” Nnamani said. “Now, we will focus on the final and make sure we do our best to qualify for the Intercontinental phase. Our goal is to keep fighting for the championship.”
Nigeria will now face Guinea in the final on Wednesday at 3:00 PM Nigeria time. Guinea, who have been impressive throughout the tournament, will be a tough opponent, but Nigeria’s solid form and determined team spirit have put them in a strong position to defend their title.
The final promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams aiming for the ultimate prize and a chance to represent Africa in the upcoming Intercontinental phase.
Nigeria’s players and coaching staff will need to maintain their focus and intensity to ensure they bring home the championship, while Guinea will be equally determined to upset the defending champions.
As the final approaches, all eyes will be on the Nigerian team to see if they can continue their dominant form and take another step toward securing a place in the global stage of handball.
