Nigeria has become the first African team to advance to the semi-finals of the IHF Men’s Emerging Championship. The milestone came after an unbeaten run in the preliminary round, capped by a hard-fought 25:22 victory over Moldova earlier today.
The Group A clash between Nigeria and Moldova was a high-stakes affair, with both teams vying for a spot in the semi-finals. A win was essential for either side to secure their place mathematically, especially with Azerbaijan already eliminated from contention. The match, which ended with a halftime score of 14:12 in Nigeria’s favor, showcased a dramatic shift in momentum.
Moldova appeared to hold the edge early on, capitalizing on Nigeria’s shaky start in the tournament. The African side had trailed the United States in their opening match and managed only a slim one-goal lead at halftime against Azerbaijan in their second outing. In the first half against Moldova, the Europeans looked poised to dominate, but Nigeria’s resilience proved decisive.
Key to Nigeria’s success was Faruk Yusuf, stationed at right back from the outset. Despite a slow start—failing to score in the opening six minutes and 16 seconds—Yusuf and his teammates unleashed their offensive firepower in the second half. The team’s determination paid off, clinching their second win in three matches and maintaining an unbeaten record.
With this victory, Nigeria has not only qualified for the semi-finals of the 2025 IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship but also guaranteed the best-ever finish for an African team in the competition’s history.