African Championship: Angola Ends Nigeria’s World Championship Hope

African Championship: Angola Ends Nigeria’s World Championship Hope

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria’s Senior Men’s Handball team, the Golden Arrows, have seen their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 IHF World Championship in Germany come to an end following a 25–20 defeat to Angola in the 5th–6th place classification match at the 27th Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The encounter, played at the BK Arena, started on a positive note for Nigeria as they delivered a disciplined and determined first-half performance to take a 12–9 lead into the break. 

However, the game turned dramatically in the second half after Nigeria were reduced to six men following a red card shown to Faruk Yusuf his second dismissal of the tournament after also being sent off in the previous match against Guinea.

Angola capitalised on the numerical advantage, increasing their tempo and physical intensity while gradually wresting control of the contest.

Nigeria struggled to cope with the pressure and was outscored 16–8 after the restart. Despite a spirited fight from the Golden Arrows, Angola powered their way to a 25–20 victory at full-time.

The defeat not only brought Nigeria’s campaign in Kigali to a close but also ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 IHF World Championship in Germany, as Angola secured Africa’s fifth and final World Cup qualification slot with the win.