By Samuel Adeola
Nigeria’s Green Arrows face defending champions Egypt today in a decisive Group I match at the African Men’s Handball Championship, with a semi-final spot and a direct ticket to the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship at stake.
Egypt top the group with four points from two wins, scoring 83 goals and conceding 56.
Nigeria are second with two points, level with Angola but ahead on goals scored despite a minus-one goal difference.
The Green Arrows seek a strong response after a 27-24 loss to Angola, their first defeat of the tournament, ending a run that included wins over Algeria, Zambia, and hosts Rwanda.
A win over Egypt would be historic and secure Nigeria a return to the World Championship for the first time since 1999.
Nigeria’s fate could be influenced by the earlier Angola vs Algeria clash. If Algeria wins, Nigeria could qualify before facing Egypt. But an Angola victory would leave Nigeria needing a win to finish in the top two.
Failure would relegate them to fifth–eighth place matches, where only the winner earns a World Championship berth.
