Ahead of the upcoming 10th edition of the U-18 Women’s Handball Championship in China, Coach Adewunmi Shittu of Nigeria’s U-18 Women’s handball team expressed confidence and motivation as they prepare to make their debut appearance in the tournament. The championship, scheduled from August 14 to 25 in Chuzhou, holds significant importance for Nigeria, who have persevered through several unsuccessful qualification attempts in the past.
Nigeria finds itself placed in Group B, alongside formidable opponents such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Angola. The latter team, Angola, had previously been defeated by Nigeria in the third-place match of the 2023 Africa U-18 Women’s Handball Championship in Monastir, Tunisia.
Coach Shittu conveyed his team’s readiness and determination, highlighting their recent achievements, including a commendable second-place finish in the IHF Trophy series. In a heartfelt message, he extended gratitude to the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) for their unwavering support and encouragement towards the team’s success. The message specifically acknowledged the president of HFN, Sam Ocheho, for his leadership.
“As we embark on our journey to the IHF Female U-18 World Cup in China, carrying the hopes and dreams of our fans and nation, we are fully motivated to deliver a memorable and remarkable performance,” Coach Shittu stated, emphasizing the team’s aspirations for a successful outing on the global stage.
Nigeria’s qualification for the U-18 Women’s Handball World Championship was secured with a historic victory over Morocco in the quarter-finals of the Africa U-18 Women’s Handball Championship in Monastir, Tunisia. Despite a semi-final loss to Egypt, Nigeria displayed resilience to secure third place in the Nations Cup by defeating Angola in the third-place playoff.
The team’s journey to the IHF Women’s Trophy has been marked by dominant performances in the Africa Zone 3 and continental phases, held in Ghana and Congo Brazzaville respectively. Although they finished as runners-up in the global championship after a close final against Kosovo in Uzbekistan, their achievements have propelled them to a competitive position on the international stage.
As Nigeria’s U-18 women’s handball team prepares to showcase their talents in China, they are poised to leave a lasting impression and uphold the pride of their nation in this prestigious tournament.
