The President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho has backed the national under 19 handball male team to pull a surprise win over Bahrain at IHF World Youth Championship holding in Macedonia. 

Nigeria will commence her campaign at the world championship, today against Bahrain who is one of the best Asia handballing nation and Ocheho acknowledged that it won’t be a stroll in the park for the Emeka Nnamani tutored national cadet team.

He, however, believes that Nigeria will pull through with a surprise as they have the backing of the federation to make the nation proud. 

“Our first game is going to be very tough against Bahrain who is a tough side and got into the competition via its performance as a nation and not through the qualifying stages”. He said 

“However, our boys are strong and determined to bring success to the country. I am very optimistic that we will pull a big surprise against Bahrain today”

Ocheho also urged the boys to be of good conduct and show the never-dying Nigerian spirit in the course of the championship.

Coach of the team, Emeka Nnamani has declared that Nigeria is in Macedonia not to make the numbers but to compete favourably in the championship. 

Coach Nnamani summised that winning the first match will put Nigeria in a good position of qualifying from the group which includes, host nation, Macedonia, Denmark, Bahrain, Japan, and Argentina. 

“We’re here to play and to win. Winning our first match will put us in good position of qualifying from the group to the next round”. He said 

The national cadet boys team left the shores of the country on Sunday and have settled into their base in Macedonia ahead of their first game against Bahrain later today.