Nigeria thrash Madagascar to top Group C, face Rwanda in quarter-finals

Nigeria thrash Madagascar to top Group C, face Rwanda in quarter-finals

Nigeria’s U-20 men’s handball team rounded off their Group C campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Madagascar 50–17 on Tuesday at the 33rd Africa Men’s Junior Handball Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Nigerian side took control of the game from the start, establishing a commanding 21–8 lead at half-time before producing another strong performance in the second half to complete the 33-goal victory.

The result gave Nigeria their second win of the championship and moved them to the top of Group C with four points from three matches.

The top position was confirmed after Algeria defeated previously unbeaten Angola 25–22 in the other Group C encounter. The result left Nigeria, Angola and Algeria all level on four points, but Nigeria finished ahead of both sides with the best goal difference.

Nigeria ended the group stage with 98 goals scored and 64 conceded for a goal difference of +34. Angola finished second with +33, while Algeria occupied third position with +29. Madagascar finished bottom without a point after three defeats.

Having won Group C, Nigeria will now face Rwanda in the quarter-finals on Wednesday as they continue their campaign at the championship and seek a place in the semi-finals.