Handball: Egypt star over Algeria to win African Youth championships

By REBECCA GICHANA

Egyptian team after winning African Youth Championships . [PHOTO: REBECCA GICHANA]

Egypt beat Algeria 26-23 to win the 9th edition of African Youth Championship yesterday at the Safaricom Indoor Arena.

The mouth-watering clash started a high note with Algeria recording a surprise lead in the first five minutes 5-3 but Egypt sensing danger, came out to recover and overtake their opponents ten minutes later.

With six minutes to the end of the first half, the Pharaohs recorded 10-9 lead but by the end of the breather both teams tied at 12-12.

After the breather, Egypt continued with their scoring prowess to get six quick scores to move ahead of their opponents. Egyptians continued with scoring spree to lift the trophy.

In semi-final encounters, Tunisia lost to championship favourites Egypt while Angola narrowly lost to Algeria.

In third place play off, Tunisia beat Angola 24-16 to finish second runners-up.

Scoring spree

The match started on a high note with Tunisia scoring a penalty in the first minute but a minute later, their opponents equalised to make matters 1-1.

Tunisia took a 3-2 lead in the fourth minute but hard fighting Angola made two quick scores to make matters 4-4.

Both teams intensified attacks in the first quarter of the match but Tunisia seemed the best side to lead 5-4 as Angola’s coach asked for their first technical time out to give his boys instructions.

Things looked bright for Tunisia who added three more scores to lead 7-4.

 Angola lost the grip of the match giving out easy passes that their opponents utilised well. After the breather, Tunisia was on it again scoring a quick goal to record victory.

Libya finished fifth while Kenya, Guinea, Niger and Zambia came fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

Egypt will represent Africa in the Youth Olympic Championship scheduled in China later this year.

Meanwhile, The 20th edition of men’s Juniors African Nations championship is scheduled to kick off today with ten countries to participate. Seven countries are in the country for the seven-day championship at the Safaricom Indoor Arena.

Participants include Gabon, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia,  Angola,DR Congo, Guinea, Burundi and Egypt.