Sports
Handball League: Seasiders Shoot Down Kada Stars
The Seasiders Male Handball Team of Lagos at the weekend, in Abuja defeated Kada Stars of Kaduna 34-24 on day one of the ongoing 2020 Prudent Energy Handball League.
The Seasiders led the game from the first half, where scores stood at 24-11 and they maintained the performance till the end in spite of their opponents’ spirited fight back.
Tidesports source report reports that the event is holding at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with the competition expected to end on November 14.
Speaking to newsmen later, the Chief Coach of Kada Stars, Ahmed Habib said his team performed very well and he was very much impressed.
“This is our first game after the COVID-19 break and my team has brought out their best.
“But we have about 10 matches to play and this is just the beginning,” he said.
In other matches in the league’s male category, Rima Strikers of Sokoto defeated Plateau Vipers 30-26.
Vipers’ Coach Abdulrasheed Abdulsalam, on his part said this was the first time Rima Strikers were defeating them since the Prudent Energy Hanball League started.
“I appreciate my players and I am expecting them to do better in the next match on Sunday when they will face Delta Force.
“I am impressed with their game, but they lost concentration when it mattered most and the other team utilised that aspect when we expected to win.
“We are going back to our drawing board and make sure we correct our mistakes and make things right in our next match,” he said.
Also, COAS Shooters gained a walk-over against the Borno Spiders who did not turn up for their game.
Tidesports also gathered that 12 teams are participating in the league’s male category, with the Borno Spiders of Maiduguri, COAS Shooters (Nigerian Army) and D:Defenders (Civil Defence) being some of them.
Others are Delta Force of Asaba, Kada Stars of Kaduna, Confluence Stars of Lokoja, Kano Pillars and Niger United of Minna.
The rest are Plateau Vipers of Jos, Rima Strikers of Sokoto, Safety Shooters (FRSC) and Seasiders of Lagos.
Ten teams are participating in the female category, with Adorable Angels of Ilorin, Benue Queens of Makurdi, Defender Babes (Civil Defence) and Edo Dynamos of Benin City being part of them.
The rest are Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri, Kada Queens of Kaduna, Desert Queens of Katsina, Plateau Peacocks of Jos, Safety Babes (FRSC), Seasiders Babes of Lagos.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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