Sports

IHF Trophy Continental Phase: Under 18, 20 Male Handball Team Intensify Preps

Published

4 years ago

January 12, 2023

Ahead of the International Handball Federation IHF Trophy Continental phase, the Nigeria National Under 18 and 20 boys handball teams intensified preparation to have better outings.

Head coach Emeka Nnamani and Coach Fidelis Obi tutored teams were victorious at the IHF Trophy Tournament for Africa Zone 3 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, thereby qualifying for the continental championship which will hold in Congo Brazzaville from January 16th to 20 2022.

All of the players who participated for the teams respectively have been undergoing intensive training at Rowe Park Sports Center in Yaba, Lagos since the beginning of the year under the watchful eyes of their coaches as well as receiving technical support from the technical committee led by head of technical of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Coach Bala Mohammed.

The National Under 20 team includes the likes of Ogundokun Adewale, goalkeeper Okwo Obinna and star player Yusuf Farouk of top Spanish handball team, Club BM Granollers while includes goalkeeper Samuel Obabori of TOJEMARINE Academy, Fuad Mukiala and Mohammed Mustapha.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

17 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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