The semi-finals of the handball event at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State lived up to expectations, with high-octane clashes and dominant displays as finalists in both male and female categories emerged.
In what turned out to be a perfect day for the host state, Ogun booked spots in both the male and female finals, setting up a possible double-gold celebration for the home fans.
Starting with the female category, Ogun’s female team overcame a spirited Kogi side with a 24–19 win in a pulsating encounter.
The first half was a tight affair with both teams evenly matched at 10–10, but Ogun showed greater grit and sharpness in the second period.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, the hosts pulled away in the final quarter, sealing their place in the final with a confident five-goal margin.
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In the second semi final in the female category, Sokoto delivered a commanding performance to brush aside Edo 32–25.
Dominating from the outset, they took a five-goal lead into halftime and never looked back.
Edo attempted a comeback but Sokoto’s offensive fluidity and tactical discipline proved too much. With the win, Sokoto set up a mouthwatering gold medal clash against the hosts.
In the Male Category, Ogun’s male team matched the energy of their female counterparts, defeating FCT 29–25 in a thrilling semi-final.
The hosts led narrowly at halftime and held their nerve in the face of FCT’s challenge with precise finishing and a solid defensive display to advance to the final, ensuring home fans will have plenty to cheer for on finals day.
The other semi final saw Lagos defeating Edo 24–21 to book their place in the male final in a fiercely contested match . With a two-goal cushion at halftime, Lagos managed the game efficiently, fending off a late surge from the Edo boys.
