Ghana grab first IHF Africa Zone III gold medal

The Handball Association of Ghana (HAG) chalked a historic feat over the week­end when the Golden Hands (U- 20) male team won Ghana’s first International Handball Federation (IHF) Africa Zone III trophy.

They defeated Cote d’Ivoire 32-28 in an epic final that thrilled fans that watched the game played at the new Borteyman Sports Complex.

It also served as a test event for the newly constructed facility meant for the 13th African Games from March 8.

For the Ivorians, it was a huge anticlimax to a sterling campaign that saw them dethrone Nigeria as the defending champions follow­ing a semifinal defeat.

Against a Ghanaian side that appears to have been rejuvenated under the dynamic leadership of Nii Lante Bannerman, it was ex­pected to be a final that will live the billing; and it did.

The Golden Hands showed great control and composure in the initial stages but the Ivorians used their experience to show they were no pushovers as they kept the Ghana­ian lead quite narrow.

In the final hours when the Ivo­rians went all out, the Ghanaians kept it tight to open a four point gap and defended it until the last whistle went.

With the win, Ghana qualify to represent the Zone at the conti­nental stage of the championship and also secured the ticket for her maiden participation in the African Championship.

At the U18 level, Team Ghana failed to maintain the U-20 standard but managed a silver medal after losing to the defending champions, Nigeria, in another entertaining finals.

Despite a very impressive outing, Ghana lost 25-33 to the Nigerians, who would qualify to represent the

 group at the continental stage.

The week-long competition was under the supervision of Mr Med­hat El Beltagy, a former Minister of Sports in Egypt and presently the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB).

It attracted six countries includ­ing Nigeria, La Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Liberia and host nation, Ghana.

BY ANDREW NORTEY

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