Nigeria’s Under 23 Handball Men Team today, March 12, 2025, recorded their first win at the ongoing IHF Emerging Nations Championship in Varna, Bulgaria.

Nigeria, who is making their third appearance in the Championship, which spans from March 11 to 16, 2025, convincingly defeated Azerbaijan by 29-17 goals, with John Shagari named the Most Valuable Player.

The Solomon Yola-led side had earlier drawn their first match at the tournament against the USA 31-31 and was eager to get a win the second time out. Nigeria was down 12-18 in the first half but put in an incredible shift in the second half.

The IHF Emerging Nations Championship is a men’s handball tournament organized by the International Handball Federation since 2015, directed to play with emerging teams. Its first edition was held in Kosovo from June 20 to 26.