The senior national handball team lost to its counterpart from Nigeria, on Wednesday, in its first match for the 27th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Rwanda between January 21 and 31.
The match, which was held on the floor of the “Small Stadium” hall in the capital, Kigali, ended with a score of 25-23.
The Nigerian team ended the first half in its favor with a three-goal advantage, 16-13.
With this victory, Nigeria recorded the first surprises in the 2026 African Handball Cup in Rwanda, in which 16 countries participate.
The Nigerian national team, which is in the competition for the 16th time, has never before; To win against the national team.
The Green Eagles achieved the best participation in their history in 1998 in South Africa, when they ranked fourth.
Nigeria was then eliminated by Algeria in the semi-final with a score of 32-21, and then faced Egypt in the ranking match and lost by nine goals (35-26).
Showdown statistics
The Algerian right-back, Ayoub Abdi, distinguished himself from all the players who participated in the match.
The French Nantes player had the highest scoring tally with 7 goals, with a successful shot rate of 64 percent, and he also provided two assists.
Nigerian right winger Hakim Damilare Salami scored six goals, a total also achieved by Algerian winger Redouane Saker.
For his part, the national team goalkeeper, Khalifa Ghadban, blocked seven shots out of 32 that reached his goal, with a success rate of 21.9 percent.
Next match
Coach Salih Bushkariu’s squad will face the team of the organizing country, Rwanda, on Thursday, at six in the evening, in the “BK” hall.
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