IHF U-18 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP: NIGERIA REACHES KNOCKOUT STAGE DESPITE LOSS TO AUSTRIA

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Nigeria’s U-18 team has advanced to the knockout stage despite losing their second group stage match to Austria, 33-14, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the President’s Cup Group A at the ongoing 2024 International Handball Federation (IHF) U-18 Women’s Championship in Chuzhou, China.

Following the conclusion of the group-stage matches in the President’s Cup, Nigeria was drawn against Chinese Taipei, while Kosovo will face Egypt in the placement matches (21–23).

The results of the placement matches will determine the final standings of the competition.

Nigeria’s journey to the knockout stage involved five matches: three in the preliminary round and two in the President’s Cup.

Nigeria’s U-18s initially lost to Croatia, 33-11, and Montenegro, 26-9, in their first two Group B preliminary matches, thereby missing out on progressing to the main round.

However, the team managed to secure a victory against Angola, winning 29-21 in the third Group B preliminary match. This victory placed them in third position in Group B, allowing them to advance to the President’s Cup alongside Angola, Chile, and Austria.

After their victory over their African counterparts, Nigeria slipped back into a losing streak, falling to Chile and Austria in their two matches in the President’s Cup.

The team narrowly lost to Chile, 22-23, and to Austria, 33-14, in their group-stage matches in the President’s Cup.