In their two previous IHF Men’s Junior World Championship appearances (1981 and 1985), Nigeria finished 14th out of 16 and in 16th out of 16. Their eight-goal defeat of Chile today ensured that they ranked 19th out of 24 at teams at Spain 2019, ensuring, historically, it was their best-ever finish in the competition as they ended up with two victories.

19/20 Placement Match
Nigeria vs Chile 34:26 (14:10)
Pavillon Municipal de Deportes de Pontevedra

Coach Shittu Adewunmi Olumide was full of emotion as his side overcame the relatively experienced Chilean side (six appearances in the championship previously) in the 19/20 placement match early this morning in Pontevedra.

They got off to the best possible start, going on an 8:0 run to lead 8:1 by the 12th minute and effectively, and ultimately, resign the South American side to defeat.

With just 12 players and seven games played in the past week and a half, you could forgive them for being tired going into their final clash, but they were full of life with Michael Agbaji Solomon doing the business in goal again (total 12 saves from 37 shots) and nine players scoring, with six out of six from Gbenga Tobi Cole and a best player performance from Ibrahim Adio Owolabi (8/8) to top score for his side – the same number of goals which Danilo Salgado scored for Chile. Even when influential line player - and tallest at Spain 2019 - Victor Gbenga Rotibi was shown a direct red for a hand to the face of the attacking Diego Arancibia, Nigeria did not falter, instead going on an 8:1 run to make it a 10-goal difference (28:18) in the 54th minute and clearly put the game to bed.

Chile had little luck in goal and could only manage to convert half of their attempts, but they will take fond – and important – memories of a group win against Argentina as their achievement in Galicia, knowing that has laid down the marker as their progress.

Best Player of the Match: Ibrahim Adio Owolabi (NGR)