Nigeria U-18 Women’s Handball Team Ready for World Championship Debut in China
Ahead of the 10th edition of the U-18 Women’s Handball Championship in China, Nigeria’s U-18 Women’s handball team, coached by Adewunmi Shittu, is motivated and prepared to make a strong debut, reports PUNCH Sports Extra.
The championship will take place from August 14 to 25 in Chuzhou, marking Nigeria’s first appearance after multiple failed qualification attempts. Nigeria is placed in Group B, alongside European powerhouses Croatia and Montenegro, and familiar rivals Angola, whom they defeated for third place at the 2023 Africa U-18 Women’s Handball Championship in Monastir, Tunisia.
As preparations ramp up, Shittu, who led the team to a second-place finish at the IHF Trophy series, expressed gratitude to the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) for their unwavering support. In a heartfelt message, he acknowledged the contributions of the HFN board and its president, Sam Ocheho, attributing the team’s successes to their encouragement and commitment.
“As we approach the final phase of the Nigeria national youth (U-18) stage, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the board of HFN and its members for their support and selfless commitment to the successes of the U-18 Female team. These achievements are dedicated to you all, especially HFN president Sam Ocheho,” Shittu stated.
He added, “As we head to the IHF Female U-18 World Cup in China, with the hopes and dreams of our fans behind us, we are fully motivated to deliver a memorable and remarkable tournament.”
The Nigerian team secured their spot in the World Championship by defeating Morocco in the quarter-finals of the Africa U-18 Women’s Handball Championship in Tunisia last year. Although they lost to Egypt in the semi-finals, they clinched third place by beating Angola.
The team also dominated the IHF Women’s Trophy in the Africa Zone 3 and continental phases in Ghana and Congo Brazzaville, respectively, before finishing second globally after a final loss to Kosovo in the IHF Women’s Trophy Intercontinental Phase in Uzbekistan.
