Handball: Ghana’s U-19, U-17 Women commence 2025 IHF Challenge Trophy Campaign in Abidjan

The national U-19 and U-17 Women’s Handball Teams began their journey in the 2025 IHF Challenge Trophy – Africa Zone III tournament. The event started today, April 20th, and runs until April 24th, 2025, in Abidjan.

Ghana's U-19 team had a strong start. They won their first match against the Central African Republic with a score of 23-16 at Palais des Sports Treichville.

Ghana initially struggled, conceding three goals before scoring their first in the fifth minute. However, they rallied to tie the game at 8-8 by halftime.

In the second half, Ghana improved significantly. They tightened their defense around the 9-meter line and enhanced their attacking strategy through the center. Mary Akaasa, Josephine Mensah, and Edna Benyingi led an impressive offensive effort.

As the match neared its end, Ghana shifted to a defensive strategy to secure their lead. They clinched victory with a final score of 23-16. Mary Akaasa was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her outstanding performance.

Coach Raphael Sifah acknowledged improvements but noted issues with first-half focus. He stated, “There is more room for improvement.” He emphasized that they would work on refining strategies moving forward.

Earlier in the day, the U-17 team faced a tough loss against Burkina Faso. They trailed 15-21 at halftime and lost ultimately by a score of 41-27.

Despite this setback, Coach Sifah remains confident in his team's potential to improve. He said, “This is a developmental tournament,” believing players will adapt over time.

Next up for the U-19 team is a match against Burkina Faso on Monday at 6 PM. Before that, the U-17 team will play Togo at noon.