By Our Correspondent

Nigeria, Friday evening, walloped Tahiti 61-21 in a one-sided natch at the IHF Trophy Intercontinental Phase 2023 ongoing in Costa Rica.

The national U-18 male handball team, obviously learning from the turnovers committed in their 32-32 draw game against Guadaloupe, went into the business of the day as the roast the Tahitians with decisive and almost near perfect display of handballing skills making them to win the first half 27-5.

The second half was a continuation of the first half with player of the match goalkeeper Fuad Gbolahun providing opportunities for the on court players to score many of their fast break goals thereby winning the second half 34-16. This is as the Tahitians came out to play.

Nigeria had 81 total shots with 76% all shot efficiency. They got several of their goals mostly through fast breaks.

They now lead the standing with 5 points same point as Guadaloupe but with more goals scored. Guadaloupe defeated Georgia 33-29.

The Coach Emeka Nnamani tutored side will play Georgia on Saturday (12am WAT on Sunday) and a victory will see Nigeria crowned champion.

Earlier in their opening game on Thursday, the teenagers began their IHF Trophy Intercontinental Championship campaign with an easy 46-30 win over Nicaragua in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The team started the match with a lot of zeal which ensured they had over 81% near shot efficiency of players such as Tahir Ahmed Lawal and Olawale Ajibike to comfortably win the first half 19-9.

The second half wasn’t a stroll in the park as such for Nigeria as the Nicaragua came out in an effort to turn the match around for themselves led by star player Zaymond Estiven Perez Sincler who was forcing Nigeria into turnovers to get 50% 7 meters shot efficiency amongst other improvement.

But the master stroke tactics of Nigeria’s manager Coach Emeka Nnamani kept them at bay to rally back and take control as Nigeria won the second half 27-21.

Overall Nigeria had 62 shots overall with a 74% all shots efficiency as against Nicaragua’s 56% with the team essentially winning the match through the 6 metres, near shots, wing shots and more of fast breaks.