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Niger United, Safety Babes Claim Handball League Titles

Niger United defeated Tojemarine Academy 31-26 on the final day at the NIS Gymnasium complex in Surulere, Lagos, to clinch the men's title for the second time after achieving a similar feat in 2018.


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Niger United and Safety Babes were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023 on Saturday in Lagos.

Niger United defeated Tojemarine Academy 31-26 on the final day at the NIS Gymnasium complex in Surulere, Lagos, to clinch the men’s title for the second time after achieving a similar feat in 2018.

The Minna-based outfit finished top of the table with 61 points. Tojemarine Academy ended the season in second with 56 points while Safety Shooters came third with 53 points.

Four-time champions and Pillars came fourth with 49 points in a season that they will forget in a hurry as they failed to appear on the podium for the first time since 2018.

Bendel Dynamos and Police Machine were relegated to the second division after finishing at the bottom of the table.

In the women’s category, Safety Babes became the second team after Adorable Angels in 2020 to end the season unbeaten.

Safety Babes edged past Rima Queens to earn 53 points and clinched the title for the third consecutive season.

Defender Babes came second with 46 points while Plateau Peacocks appeared on the podium for the first time since 2019.

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The President of the Handball Federation Of Nigeria, Samuel Ocheho, applauded the sponsors Ardova PLC for their unwavering support and commitment to the development of the game in the country.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to Ardova PLC for elevating the standards of the league and providing a platform for our athletes to shine. The league has been a springboard for several of our players to be selected for national team duties and several players have gotten clubs outside the shores of the country because of the quality of the league,” he said.

The Chairman of Prudent Energy Group, Abdulwasiu Sowami, commended the handball federation for the successful conclusion of the premier league season.

He said: “We believe the partnership with Ardova PLC has helped to position Nigeria handball at the highest pedestal and exposed the best players in the league to international reckoning. We therefore remain committed to the development of handball in Nigeria and look forward to continued partnership and cooperation with the federation.”

Azeez Suleiman of Tojemarine Academy and Toyin Yusuf of Plateau Peacocks were named the competition’s most valuable players while Amarachi Oparaugo of Imo Grasshoppers with 157 goals and Aminu Aliyu of Niger United with 149 goals emerged as the top scorers.