Nigeria’s Under-18 women’s handball team pulled off a dramatic 29-28 victory over host nation Algeria to secure fifth place at the 2025 Africa Women’s Youth Handball Championship in Oran.
The nail-biting encounter, played on Sunday, ended with a burst of jubilation from the Nigerian bench after a last-gasp winner sealed their campaign on a high note.
Nigeria had taken a slim 13-11 lead into halftime, but the Algerian side, spurred on by a roaring home crowd, fought back with intensity in the second half. With the scores tied 28-28 and just seconds left on the clock, the arena was gripped with tension as Algeria pressed for the winner.
Goalkeeper Aisha Jamilu came to Nigeria’s rescue with a spectacular save, denying Algeria what looked like a sure goal. Moments later, Ngozi Korie delivered the decisive strike, firing home in the dying seconds to hand Nigeria a famous victory.
Though the Nigerian girls missed out on a semi-final berth and qualification for both the IHF Women’s Under-18 World Championship and the IHF Women’s Intercontinental Trophy, their spirited display won admiration and showcased their resilience on the continental stage.
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The 2025 African Women’s Youth Handball Championship, which kicked off on September 14 in Oran, officially comes to an end today. The competition also served as a qualifier for the 2026 Women’s Youth World Handball Championship, drawing participation from the continent’s top emerging talents.
Nigeria’s fifth-place finish may not bring a ticket to the world stage, but their dramatic win over Algeria on home soil is certain to be remembered as one of the standout moments of the tournament.
