Nigeria’s U-18 men’s handball team lost 34-30 in overtime to Kosovo in the IHF Trophy Intercontinental Phase final, securing second place

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s U-18 men’s handball team narrowly missed out on glory, finishing second at the IHF Trophy’s Intercontinental Phase after a dramatic 34-30 overtime defeat to Kosovo in the final on Sunday.

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Held in Pristina, Kosovo, the pulsating final saw the Nigerian team battle valiantly but fall short in the crucial extra time.

Under the guidance of coach Emeka Nnamani, Nigeria entered the match with determination, hoping to avenge their earlier defeat to Kosovo in the tournament’s preliminary rounds.

The first half ended in a thrilling 13-13 draw, with both teams matching each other in intensity and skill. Despite the challenges posed by Kosovo’s tight defence, Nigeria remained composed, with vital goals coming from key players.

The Nigerian side showed their strength in the second half, outscoring their hosts and taking a 26-24 lead with under three minutes remaining.

The combination of Christian Foloki and Mustapha Mohammed, who contributed a total of 13 goals, helped propel the team to a near-victory.

However, Kosovo mounted a late comeback, scoring two quick goals to tie the game and force overtime, with Amar Muqolli playing a pivotal role in the resurgence.

In the extra period, the host team, backed by a passionate crowd, managed to secure the victory, clinching a 34-30 win to be crowned champions of the IHF Trophy’s Intercontinental Phase.

While the defeat was heartbreaking for Nigeria, the team’s performance was commendable, and their effort has earned them recognition on the international stage.

The bronze medal match saw the USA narrowly defeat Uzbekistan 36-34 to claim third place. Despite not securing the top spot, Nigeria’s Mustapha Mohammed finished as the competition’s top scorer, netting an impressive 43 goals throughout the tournament. Kosovo’s Amar Muqolli (30 goals) and Granit Kadiri (29 goals) rounded out the top three scorers.

This runner-up finish marks the second time Nigeria has finished as the tournament’s second-place team, having previously lost to Chinese Taipei in the 2019 final. The Nigerian U-18 team also finished third in the 2023 edition of the competition.

The loss in the final was particularly significant for Nigeria, as a victory would have qualified them for the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship later this year.