Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-02-26 07:22:56
The Handball Association of Ghana (HAG) made history over the weekend as the Golden Hands (U-20) male team secured Ghana’s first International Handball Federation (IHF) Africa Zone III trophy. In an exciting final match against Cote d’Ivoire, they emerged victorious with a score of 32-28 at the new Borteyman Sports Complex. This event also served as a test event for the upcoming 13th African Games to be held in March.
The Ivorians, who had previously dethroned Nigeria as the defending champions, faced a tough defeat in the final against a rejuvenated Ghanaian team led by Nii Lante Bannerman. The match was expected to be intense, and it lived up to expectations. The Golden Hands displayed great control and composure from the start, but the Ivorians put up a strong fight, keeping the Ghanaian lead narrow.
As the game progressed, the Ivorians pushed hard to close the gap, but the Ghanaians maintained their four-point lead until the final whistle blew. With this victory, Ghana secured a spot to represent the Zone at the continental stage of the championship and earn a maiden participation in the African Championship.
In the U18 category, Team Ghana couldn’t replicate the success of the U-20 team but still managed to clinch a silver medal after a thrilling final match against Nigeria, the defending champions. Despite a valiant effort, Ghana lost 25-33 to Nigeria, who will represent the group at the continental level.
The week-long competition was overseen by Mr. Medhat El Beltagy, a former Minister of Sports in Egypt and the current First Vice President of the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB). Six countries, including Nigeria, La Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Liberia, and host nation Ghana, participated in the event.
Overall, Ghana’s victory in the U-20 category marks a significant milestone for handball in the country, showcasing the talent and potential of Ghanaian players on the international stage. The success at the IHF Africa Zone III trophy not only highlights the progress of Ghanaian handball but also opens up new opportunities for the team to compete at higher levels of competition.
With a strong performance and determination, the Golden Hands have set a new standard for handball in Ghana and have laid the foundation for future success in the sport. The victory against tough competition from Cote d’Ivoire serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, coaches, and officials involved in developing handball in Ghana.
As Ghana looks forward to representing the Zone and participating in the African Championship, the handball community in the country can celebrate this historic achievement and use it as a stepping stone for further growth and success in the sport.
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