The ongoing National Sports Festival in Ogun State witnessed a thrilling Day 3 of the women’s handball event, marked by a stunning upset and several closely contested matches. Team Sokoto delivered the biggest surprise of the day, defeating handball powerhouse Edo State in a nail-biting encounter. Sokoto’s victory was built on a strong first-half performance where they established a 12-8 lead. Despite a late surge from Edo, Sokoto maintained their composure and held on for a 22-20 win, marking their first significant victory in the competition and signaling their potential as a dark horse. The result sent shockwaves through the tournament, highlighting the competitive nature of this year’s festival.
Lagos State continued their dominant run in the competition with a resounding victory over Bauchi State. Exhibiting a masterful display of tactical proficiency and lightning-fast breaks, Lagos overwhelmed Bauchi from the outset, building a commanding 19-5 lead by halftime. They maintained their relentless attack in the second half, ultimately securing a 33-13 victory. This win underscored Lagos’s status as a strong contender for the gold medal and showcased the team’s depth and offensive firepower. Their consistent performance solidified their position as a team to watch in the remaining matches.
The match between Oyo and Delta states provided another dramatic moment in the day’s proceedings, culminating in a thrilling one-point victory for Oyo. The two teams battled fiercely throughout the match, with Delta holding a slim 14-13 lead at halftime. However, Oyo displayed remarkable resilience in the second half, clawing their way back into contention and ultimately snatching a 35-34 victory in the final minute of the game. This hard-fought win highlighted Oyo’s determination and their ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for potentially more exciting matches in the tournament.
Host state Ogun also enjoyed success on Day 3, securing a comfortable victory against Plateau State in front of their home crowd. Fueled by the enthusiastic support of their fans, Ogun established an 18-12 lead by halftime and continued to dictate the pace of the game in the second half. Their strong performance culminated in a 35-25 victory, boosting their confidence and providing a much-needed morale boost to the home contingent. This win demonstrated Ogun’s ability to capitalize on home advantage and showcased their potential to make a significant impact in the tournament.
The Day 3 results injected a significant dose of excitement into the women’s handball competition, with Sokoto’s upset win over Edo serving as the highlight of the day. Lagos continued to impress with their dominant performance, while Oyo’s narrow victory over Delta and Ogun’s comfortable win against Plateau added further intrigue to the tournament. The matches showcased the high level of competition and the unpredictable nature of the tournament, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters as the competition progresses.
The performances on Day 3 underscored the depth of talent and the competitive balance among the participating teams. Sokoto’s surprise win over Edo served as a reminder that any team can emerge victorious on any given day. Lagos’s dominant display solidified their position as a gold medal favorite, while Oyo’s resilience and Ogun’s home advantage further intensified the competition. The thrilling matches provided a captivating spectacle for the fans and set the stage for an exciting culmination to the women’s handball event at the National Sports Festival. The close contests and unexpected results promise to make the remaining matches highly anticipated and crucial in determining the final standings of the tournament.
