By Victor Kanayo
Egypt have beaten Guinea 29-16 in the final of the Africa Women’s Youth Handball Championship which held in Monastir, Tunisia.
The victory ensured that the North African nation defended their continental tournament.
At the competition, Nigeria finished on the podium after defeating Angola 28-24 in the third place match played on Saturday.
Having lost the semi-final game against Egypt, the national under 18 women handball team knew they needed to play with their heart out to finish as the third best team in the championship, and they started like a house on fire, the determination which ensured they won the first half 12-7.
The Angolans, who were one of the favourites to win the competition, came back smoking in the second half, but Coach Shittu Adewunmi Agboola’s tutored team held strong to win the match 28-24 and get the bronze medal as well taking a major scalp of a big team in Africa Women handball.
Thus, Nigeria qualifies for the IHF World Women’s Youth Handball Championship which will hold in China next year and will also participate in the IHF Trophy Intercontinental Phase after winning the zonal and continental phases in Ghana and Ivory Coast respectively.
The team will arrive Nigeria on Monday.
