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2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 22 & 27th AMHNC Review: Golden Arrows Taste First Defeat

Posted : 26 January 2026

Nigeria’s Senior Men Handball team, the Golden Arrows, recorded their first defeat in Group A of the main draw of the Final Eight at the 27th Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup, falling 27–24 to Angola at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Angola dominated early, taking a 14–11 lead into halftime by capitalizing on key moments and maintaining defensive solidity. Despite a spirited second-half response from the Golden Arrows, Angola, inspired by star player Cláudio André Patrício Chicola who scored 14 goals, maintained their composure to secure the victory.

Nigeria showed resilience after the break, tightening defensively and finding rhythm in attack. Faruk Yusuf led the Golden Arrows’ scoring with 9 goals, supported by Hakeem Salami with 6 goals, Sulaimon Azeez with 4, and Shagari John adding 3 from the backcourt. Further contributions came from Mohammed Mustapha and Stephen Iyortyer Sessugh, who scored a goal each, while goalkeeper Michael Solomon produced several crucial saves to keep Nigeria in contention for much of the game.

However, Angola’s experience proved decisive in the closing stages, as they held on to their three-goal advantage until the final whistle.

The defeat does not end Nigeria’s semi-final ambitions. The Golden Arrows currently sit second behind Egypt in the semi-final placement standings, boasting a superior goal difference over Angola.

Nigeria will now focus on a crucial clash against Egypt, where a favorable result could secure a place in the final four and potentially clinch long-awaited qualification for the 2027 World Championship in Germany.

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