Niger United, Safety Babes Win Ardova Handball Premier League

Niger United and Safety Babes were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023 in Lagos on Saturday in Lagos.
Niger United, who are the 2018 champion, led the male category league right from the first phase in Benin City, Edo State and held on to the lead to win the premier league. Their match against second placed Tojemarine Academy, a dead rubber, saw them winning 31-26 in the presence of special dignitaries such as the Chairman, Prudent Group, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Sowami and the Ardova PLC team as well as the President of the Bèninoise Handball Federation Mr. Sidikou Karimou amongst others at the NIS Indoor Sports Hall.
Niger United finished with 61 points,  while Tojemarine Academy placed second with 56 points and Safety Shooters, third with 53 points following their 25-17 victory over Correction Boys.
Kano Pillars, who were the defending champion defeated Seasider Boys of Lagos 35-32 to finish fourth with 49 points in a season that they will forget in a hurry. They were not on the podium for the first time since the league started in 2018.
Bendel Dynamos are relegated alongside Police Machine after losing 25-20 to De Defenders. A victory for them and a win by Rima Strikers over Benue Buffaloes would have seen the Benin City based team escape relegation but Benue Buffaloes defeated Rima Strikers and Bendel Dynamos also lost their match.
Relegated Police Machine lost to Confluence Stars 35-26.