The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger United

  • Ardova HPL: Niger United stun Correction Boys in Lagos thriller

    Ardova HPL: Niger United stun Correction Boys in Lagos thriller

    Niger United of Minna defeated Correction Boys 28-26 in a thrilling tie played on Tuesday at the s ongoing Ardova Handball Premier League Second Phase tournament in Lagos.

    Both teams came out with intent in the opening moments of the game spreading passes, scoring and defending with gusto.

    However, the Niger United team coached by Adebayo Yekini, who seems to be having a good run, raced into a 16-12 lead at the end of the first half.

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    At the beginning of the second half, the Correction Boys stepped up their game but their forays were curtailed by United  who  won the game 28-26. United had their solid defence to thank in the dying moments of the encounter.

    In the female category, Omo Ogiefo defeated Rivers Queens 38-24 to continue their rise on the table. The Benin-based team were at their best again Queens who looked subdued towards the end of the game.

    Imo Grasshopper, who are third on the table beat Ekiti Queens 40-21 to maintain their spot, while Plateau Peacocks lost Rima Queens 27-23.

    Champions Safety Babes also defeated Defender Babes 32-27 to record their second win after their first loss in three years to Ogeifo last week

  • Ardova HPL: Tojemarine, Niger United in decisive clash

    Ardova HPL: Tojemarine, Niger United in decisive clash

    Leaders Tojemarine Academy will take on second placed Niger United in a top of the table clash on Monday at the ongoing Ardova Handball Premier League in Benin, Edo State.

    The two teams are tied on 18 points having won six games apiece. However, Tojemarine with a goal difference of +58 leads the pack while United have +41 goal difference to occupy the second spot.

    With the free scoring Tojemarine hoping to secure their first league title this year, they must be at their best to beat defending champions, Niger United, who have also vowed to retain their title at the end of the season. 

    The technical acumen of the two coaches, Adewunmi Shittu of Tojemarine and United’s Adebayo Yekini will  play a crucial role while a win for any of the teams would be a strong step towards winning the title.

    In the other games in the male category, Benue Buffaloes takes on Sunshine Kings, Rima Strikers battle Adamawa Warriors, Kano Pillars lock horns with D.Defenders, Correction Boys play Safety Shooters, while Confluence Stars take on Lagos Seasiders.

    Read Also: Niger United, Safety Babes rule Ardova Handball

    In the female category, defending champions and league leaders, Safety Babes take on Plateau Peacocks.

    Safety Babes are yet to lose a game since the closing day of the 2022 season when they lost to Defenders Babes in Lagos. They are tipped to win another title this year having won all five games played so far.

    In other games, Rima Queens take all Delta Queens, Defender Babes battle Bendel Dynamos, River Queens confronts COAS Babes while Seasider Babes lock horns with Imo Grasshoppers.

  • Niger United maintain winning streak at Ardova H’ball  tourney

    Niger United maintain winning streak at Ardova H’ball  tourney

    Defending Champions, Niger United of Minna yesterday continue their winning run  at  the ongoing Ardova Handball Premier League in Benin, Edo State by edging Kano Pillars 21-18 in a lively encounter.

    The closely-fought game saw both sides coming out in the early minutes of the encounter to assert dominance. However, the two teams were evenly matched as it took some strong defensive display on the part of the defending champions to emerge victorious.

    Pillars had their moments in the game but failure to convert their scoring chances was their bane and now have one win from their first three played.

    Read Also: Niger United, Safety Babes rule Ardova Handball

    It was also a battle of technical wit between United’s coach, Adebayo Yekini and Coach Solomon Yola of Pillars as both dished out instructions from court side to inspire their players.

    Coach Yekini won the battle as he recorded his third win from three games in pursuit of his desire to retain the title

    In other games played in the male category Rima Strikers beat Correction Boys 33-32. The Correction Boys deserved at least a draw in this tie but were undone by the defensive display of the Strikers in the final moment of the game.

    Also,Tojemarine Academy walk over Confluence Stars, while D:Defenders defeated newly-promoted side, Adamawa Warriors 36–28.

    In the female category, Imo Grasshopper lost to Rivers Queens 29-33. It was a crushing defeated for the Owerri side who had won their first two games and were tipped to beat the Port Harcourt side.

    Also, Defender Babes beat Plateau Peacocks 28–20, Seasider Babes lost to Safety Babes 23-33, while COAS Babes fell to Rima Queens  21–34.