The Nigeria team under 18 in the final, since the 23 -year -old team fails in IHF competitions

Nigeria’s handball team minor than 18 men is in the final of the intercontinental phase of the IHF 2025 trophy after its impressive 43-24 victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday in Pristina, Kosovo.

After the failure of losing to Kosovo in his second group game, the coach of the tutoring team of Emeka Nnamani intensified his semifinal match against Uzbekistan and had a massive efficiency of 90% since the first half, which resulted in a 24-13 victory in that half.

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The second half was the same script despite an increase of Uzbekistan, but Nigeria capitalized the rapid and wings breaks to overcome their opponents to win 43-29.

This is the second time they will play in the final of the competition since the 2019 edition, when they lost to the Chinese Taipei and end on the podium for the third consecutive time.

For Balon’s team of Nigeria under 23, it was very different since they lost 30-23 against Bulgaria in the semifinal of the 5th IHF emerging nations championship in Varna, Bulgaria.

The host country Bulgaria was favored against Nigeria, since they had three victories in two digits and a superior defense, which granted only 59 goals in the first three games of the preliminary round added with the fact that they have the advantage of the fans they support.

Bulgaria enjoyed a start of the game, mainly due to its excellent defense, which remained high during the first 16 minutes and constantly frustrated Nigeria.

With goalkeeper Nikolay Petrov with six salvages and a 60% salvation efficiency in the first part of the game, as well as the taught of Kristian Vasilev and the scorer of goals Svetlin Dimitrov, the host was really at home.

Nigeria’s best player, Faruk Yusuf, had only two goals of five shots and three ball losses, with the African side stopping with a 31%shooting efficiency, impossible to provide more in the attack.

For Nigeria, it is an impressive ending despite being beaten, since they are the story as the only African team to enter the semifinal of the Men Men Men Men Men’s Championship, but the coach of coach Emeka Nnamani will still need to fight in the Bronze Medal match on Sunday to finish on the podium.

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