Nigeria’s Under-18 Men’s Handball team have missed out on qualification for the 2027 IHF Under-19 Handball World Championship after suffering a 32-30 penalty shootout defeat to Cameroon in the fifth-place match of the Africa Men’s Youth Handball Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The fiercely contested encounter ended 27-27 after regulation time, leaving both sides level after 60 minutes and forcing the decisive contest into a seven-metre penalty shootout.

Nigeria and Cameroon were also inseparable at halftime, with both teams going into the interval tied at 12-12.

The deadlock continued throughout the second half as neither side could establish a decisive advantage, setting up a tense finish in the battle for fifth place.

Cameroon ultimately held their nerve from seven metres, converting five penalties to Nigeria’s three to secure a 32-30 overall victory.

The result handed Cameroon fifth place in the championship and ended Nigeria’s hopes of claiming one of Africa’s five qualification tickets to the 2027 IHF Under-19 Handball World Championship.

The defeat was a painful conclusion to Nigeria’s campaign after the team had kept their qualification hopes alive with a convincing 31-26 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire in their previous 5th–8th placement encounter.

Coach Abdulhakim Yakubu’s side had responded strongly against the hosts, but were unable to produce another victory when the World Championship ticket was ultimately on the line.

Nigeria will now return home without the desired qualification ticket, while Cameroon celebrate securing fifth position and a place among Africa’s representatives at the 2027 global youth championship.