Nigeria defeated Kenya 32 to 23 goals to record their first win at the ongoing 26th African Men’s Handball Cup in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday.
Having suffered two consecutive losses in the hands of Angola and Tunisia (10x African champion), Nigeria went into their third game with much determination and zeal to win the match against the East African side, Kenya.
Nigeria battered Kenya in the first half by 16 to 9 goals (7 goals margin); all thanks the swift play of the players and saves from the goalkeeper. The Golden Arrows listened to the instruction ditched by Coach Rafiu Salami on the sideline.
Upon resumption, Nigeria ran rampage on Kenya to win the game 32 to 23 goals to get a deserved victory.
Reacting to the victory, Ibrahim Dikko said that the players are not happy for not making it to the next round.
Dikko said, “It is not what we really wanted. Our plan was to make it out of the group stages because we believe we can qualify.
“It is sad Nigeria lost to Angola and Tunisia; we had no choice than to finish third in order to secure our participation in the President Cup”.
“The last time Nigeria played in finals of the President Cup (9 to 10 position), we placed 10th place. The team is playing the placement match and our target is to win every match for us to better our previous position in the Championship”.
Nigeria will play in the 9 to 16 classification match on Tuesday.
