Handball Nations Cup: Nigeria’s World Cup Bid Ends in Angola Defeat
Golden Arrows fall short in Kigali, finish sixth
Nigeria’s senior men’s handball team, the Golden Arrows, saw their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 IHF World Championship dashed after 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.
The Nigerians began brightly at the BK Arena, producing a disciplined and determined first-half display to lead 12–9 at the break.
Coach Rafiu Salami’s side looked well-organised defensively and sharp in attack, with Hakeem Salami spearheading the offensive charge.
Momentum shifted in the second half when Nigeria were reduced to a man down following a red card to Faruk Yusuf, his second dismissal of the tournament after being sent off against Guinea.
Angola capitalised on the numerical advantage, raising their intensity and gradually taking control of the contest.
Despite a spirited effort, Nigeria were outscored 16–8 after the restart, allowing Angola to seal a 25–20 victory and clinch Africa’s fifth qualification slot for the World Cup in Germany.
Hakeem Salami finished as Nigeria’s top scorer with five goals, while Azeez Sulaiman added four, keeping the Golden Arrows competitive despite the setback.
The result confirmed Nigeria’s sixth-place finish overall, ending a campaign that showcased resilience and progress against some of Africa’s strongest handball nations, even if it fell short of their World Cup ambitions.
