Nigeria’s handball youth national team ‘showed character’ worthy of gold medals in their victory over Guinea on Wednesday at the African qualifiers and pick a slot to the 2027 IHF Men’s U21 World Championship.

Sports247 reports that coach of the side, David Emmanuel was excited with the efforts of his lads, as the victory also saw them pick a spot in the semi-finals of the 33rd Africa Men’s Junior Handball Championship.

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Coach Emmanuel was beaming with delight in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, following his side’s 28-23 victory over the Guineans in Wednesday’s last-eight encounter and praised them for making their country proud.

He stated afterwards that the boys gave a very solid performance to secure the five-goal victory and they will in the semi-finals face Tunisia, who defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 36-20.

Though they have already confirmed their place at the 2027 IHF Men’s U21 Handball World Championship in North Macedonia, Emmanuel said his team will not relax just yet, as they aim to reach the final in Abidjan and win the ongoing championship.

He acknowledged further that their qualification for ther world championship is the fourth time Nigeria will get there, after 1981 in Portugal where they finished 14th, 1985 in Italy, finishing 16th, and 2019 placed 19th in Spain.

Emmanuel added that everyone in the team is pleased that they have achieved their first aim of qualifying for the world championship and assured that they will remain focused on winning the African qualifiers.

“We are happy with the victory and, most importantly, the qualification for the World Championship. The boys showed character and discipline against Guinea.

“Now we have to recover, study our next opponent, which is Tunisia, and prepare properly for the semi-final. We know it will be a difficult game, but we are ready for the challenge.

“We aim to win the Africa Nations Championship,” Emmanuel submitted, even as he went about patting each of hhis players on the back for their sterling efforts during Wednesday’s crunch encounter with Guinea.

Sports247 reports further that the Nigerian youngsters will hope to continue their impressive run in the semi-finals, as they seek a place in the final and win the trophy this weekend.