News

Angola win women’s junior continental crown

28 Feb. 2022

Angola win women’s junior continental crown

Angola have won the 2022 CAHB Women’s Junior African Championship after beating Egypt 18:17 (9:8) in a defensive final held in Conakry, Guinea, this past weekend. The game was rematch of their preliminary group encounter, which saw the two continental powerhouses unable to be split, 24:24.

It is the 10th time in the last 13 editions of the championship that Angola have taken the title, since they started their winning streak back in 1996. The 2022 victory is their fourth continental title in the last five editions.

Despite their loss in the final, the silver medal for Egypt represents huge success with the North African nation claiming their second-ever runners-up spot.

Angola had made it to the final with a clear 37:27 victory over Tunisia, while Egypt had overcome a half-time stalemate to defeat host nation Guinea 28:23 (16:16). Tunisia would take a 30:27 bronze-medal match victory over Guinea, appearing in just their third-ever junior continental championship.

“The management of the Angolan Handball Federation (FAAND) sincerely thanks all the living forces of the sport for the immeasurable contribution made to the conquest of another African title, this time with the signature of the national team of junior women,” said FAAND President José Do Amaral Júnior after victory was confirmed.

“The thanks are particularly addressed to the clubs, their managers, technicians, and athletes, whose work allowed the rescue of such an important title. Without the selfless and strenuous work of the clubs, the team ‘of all of us’ would never have performed at such a good competitive level.

“It is also necessary to recognise the dedication of the provincial handball associations (APANDs) respective leaders and other servers who worked hard to provide competition to the training levels, which includes the junior category. In a pandemic context of severe restrictions, the APANDs dedicated themselves to the organisation of national, regional and local tournaments, which kept a considerable number of athletes in activity, especially the selectable ones.

“It would be unforgivable not to thank FAAND officials and advisors for their non-negotiable commitment to the cause of regaining the African title of junior women. This feat puts the country in a better position to defend the hegemony in senior women's handball, which in July 2021 won its 14th continental title.”

The top four teams in Guinea automatically qualified for the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship, which will be played in Slovenia from 22 June to 3 July. 

Egypt will be appearing in the competition for just the third time in their history, while Guinea will finally make their debut at this level, after originally qualifying for the 2020 edition which was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Angola and Tunisia have 16 previous appearances between them at world junior level.

Final ranking

1. Angola (ANG)*
2. Egypt (EGY)*
3. Tunisia (TUN)*
4. Guinea (GUI)*
5. Algeria (ALG)
6. Nigeria (NGR)
7. Burkina Faso (BUR)
8. Zambia (ZAM)

*qualified for the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship

For more information, visit feguihand.com.

Photo: Fédération Guinéenne de Handball