Nigeria’s under-24 male handball team on Wednesday lost their opening game against Bulgaria at the fourth International Handball Federation Emerging Nations Championship.
The game played at the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria, saw the host beat their African rivals 23-19 to make it their second win in the tournament, after defeating Azerbaijan earlier.
Nigeria team managed to stay close in the game and mounted some pressure on Bulgaria, especially with the first half ending 11-13 in favour of the host country.
The Europeans however, pushed on to prove they were the better side, beating the Nigerian team being managed by coach Solomon Yola by four points to stay afloat on Group D, News About Nigeria gathered.
Nigeria is set to face Azerbaijan on Thursday, with a win securing them a spot in the tournament’s placement matches.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s two wins, have qualified them for the semi-finals of the tournament where they face Cuba, the top team in Group C, on Saturday.
A total number of 12 teams qualified and are participating in the tournament on the European country.
The teams were grouped into four, to jostle for the tournament’s grand prize.
While the tournament is set to draw to a close on Sunday, Nigeria hopes for a Miracle going into the Thursday clash, so as to keep hopes alive.
Nigeria has been training intensively for weeks in Abuja before traveling for the competition ahead of the tournament.
The boys left the Muritala Muhammed International Airport for the competition, last Sunday.
