Green Arrows Face Do-or-Die Test Against Egypt as World Championship Dream Hangs in the Balance
Nigeria’s men’s handball team, the Green Arrows, will step onto the court on Tuesday at the African Men’s Handball Championship knowing that their Group I clash against holders Egypt could determine their place in the semi-finals and secure a coveted qualification slot for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship.
The decisive group fixture places Nigeria against Africa’s most decorated handball nation, with progression beyond the group stage and a return to the global scene firmly at stake.
Egypt arrived at the final round of Group I matches in dominant form, having recorded back-to-back victories to sit top of the standings with four points and a superior goal difference after scoring freely and limiting their opponents.
Their commanding displays have reinforced their reputation as tournament favourites and a perennial powerhouse in African handball.
Nigeria, meanwhile, occupy second place with two points after alternating results in the group.
The Green Arrows were edged 27–24 by Angola in their last outing, a defeat that briefly slowed the momentum built from an impressive preliminary round where they overcame Algeria, Zambia and hosts Rwanda. That earlier run had raised expectations of a deep tournament push and a possible return to the semi-finals for the first time since 1998.
Despite the setback, Nigeria’s qualification hopes remain alive. A victory over Egypt would not only guarantee a top-two finish in the group but also mark one of the most significant wins in the team’s recent history, reviving aspirations of appearing at the IHF Men’s World Championship for the first time since 1999.
The Green Arrows’ fate could, however, begin to take shape even before they face Egypt. Earlier on Tuesday, Angola meet Algeria in the day’s opening Group I fixture. Algeria are yet to record a point and sit at the bottom of the table, while Angola are third after splitting their two matches.
If Algeria were to spring a surprise win over Angola, Nigeria would secure progression regardless of their later result, as Algeria would be unable to bridge the goal difference gap.
An Angola victory, on the other hand, would lift them above Nigeria on points, leaving the Green Arrows with no margin for error against the defending champions.
Failure to finish in the top two would push Nigeria into the fifth-to-eighth place classification phase, where only the eventual winner earns a remaining World Championship qualification slot.
For the Green Arrows, Tuesday’s showdown therefore represents more than a group match, it is a defining moment in their bid to reclaim a place among handball’s global elite.
