More exciting matches played in Addis Ababa and Nouakchott
16 May. 2024
The Men's IHF Trophy Zone 5 Africa in Addis Ababa is now in full swing, and all the semi-finalists have been determined as the group stage at both the youth and the junior age categories was finished.
On Wednesday 15 May, the youth (U18) team of Kenya beat Djibouti in Group A, 51:14, and advanced to the semi-final alongside Burundi, who had a rest day. In Group B, Ethiopia and Rwanda shared spoils at 29:29, so both teams went through. In the semi-final, Rwanda face Kenya, and Djibouti play Ethiopia.
In the junior (U20) tournament, Rwanda beat Burundi 38:25, while Kenya proved too strong for Djibouti 42:23 in Group A. Rwanda (six points) and Burundi (four) are through, while Kenya, who have two points, and Djibouti (no points) proceed to the Placement Matches 5-8.
In Group B, Uganda beat Ethiopia in an exciting game, 42:40, and finished on top, as both rivals reached the semi-final. Tanzania took their first win at the event, 31:24 versus Somalia, but both teams will fight for places 5-8 only.
In the semi-finals on Thursday, Rwanda face Ethiopia at 13:30, and Uganda meet Burundi at 15:00. The final as well as the third-place encounter are scheduled for Friday 17 May.
In the IHF Trophy Zone 2 Africa in Nouakchott, the youth tournament is played in a round-robin format. On day three, Mali defeated Mauritania 46:18, while Senegal beat Sierra Leone 45:37. Guinea, who had a rest day, lead the race with four points after three matches, while Senegal the same number of points after two games.
Mali and Mauritania are level on two points, and Sierra Leone are yet to take their maiden points. On day four, Mali meet Senegal at 18:00, and Mauritania take on Guinea at the same time.
In the junior event, Guinea beat Mali 44:23, and Senegal snatched a 29:26 victory from home team Mauritania. So in Group A, Guinea (four points) and Sierra Leone (two) progressed to the semi-final, while Mali finished third with no points.
And in Group B, Senegal and Mauritania reached the semi-final with four and two points respectively, leaving Gambia behind. On Thursday, Mali and Gambia play for the fifth overall position at 16:30, and both semi-finals are also to take place: Guinea and Mauritania at 16:30, and Sierra Leone against Senegal at 19:30.