Nigeria’s impressive start at the 2026 African Men’s Handball Championship suffered a setback on Sunday as they were narrowly defeated 24–27 by Angola in their opening main round match at Kigali BK Arena. The Golden Arrows, who had dominated Group A with victories over Algeria, Zambia, and Rwanda, now face an uphill battle to secure a semi-final berth and early qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship.
The match saw Nigeria trailing 11–14 at halftime, struggling to contain a disciplined Angolan side. Despite converting five of seven seven-metre throws in the second half, Nigeria could not overturn Angola’s perfect penalty record of six out of six. The game also saw Nigeria receive two yellow cards and one red card, while Angola maintained discipline throughout.
Nigeria began the tournament with a strong showing in Group A, stunning seven-time champions Algeria 25–23, followed by commanding wins against Zambia (36–18) and hosts Rwanda (30–20), topping the group and signaling their credentials as semi-final contenders. A victory against Angola would have guaranteed both a semi-final spot and qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship in Germany.
Despite the loss, Nigeria’s World Championship hopes remain alive. The top two teams from each main round group advance to the semi-finals, with even the fifth-placed team through placement matches securing a berth at the global tournament.
The Golden Arrows now face defending champions Egypt in their final main round match on Tuesday, a crucial encounter that will determine their chances of progressing to the semi-finals. Nigeria’s best finish at the African Men’s Handball Championship came in 1998, when they placed fourth before representing Africa at the 1999 IHF Men’s World Championship.
With determination and focus, the team aims to write a new chapter in their history and keep their World Championship dreams alive.
I cant believe Nigeria lost to Angola! Do you think they can bounce back in the final match? Lets discuss!
I cant believe Nigeria lost to Angola! Do you think they can still make it to the World Championship? Lets discuss.
Disappointing loss for Nigeria, but lets stay positive for the final match! Anything can happen in sports. Go team Nigeria!
Wow, Nigeria really needs to step up their game for that final match! Lets hope they bring home the win. #TeamNigeria 🇳🇬🤾♂️