FRSC Safety Shooters of Abuja retained their crown of North Central Handball champions after beating Niger United of Minna in the men’s final of the 3rd North Central Handball Championship played at the weekend in Makurdi, Benue State.
The Abuja-based Shooters beat Niger United 28-22 in the final to retain their title with 100 % win record.
Going into the title decider game, the two sides were level on 12 points with United leading the log on a better goal advantage, but the Shooters capitalised on their experience to overcome the high scoring Niger United team to the amusement of sizable spectators that grace the closing ceremony of the championships at the Aper Aku Stadium’s handball court.
In the women’s category, NSCDC Defender Babes of Abuja were crowned champions after beating city rivals, FRSC Safety Babes 35-26 in the final.
After Thursday’s penultimate games were decided, Plateau Peacocks of Jos, with seven points appeared to be the favorites to win the crown; having been the first team to beat the women defending champions, FRSC Safety Babes 29-28 on Wednesday.
But the Defenders had better ideas, knowing that a win with a goals difference of +5 or more, will be enough to grab the bragging rights over their city rivals, Safety Babes and the Peacocks from Jos.
Peacocks eventually reclined to second spot, while the dethroned champions, with two loses in the hands of their main opponents settled for 3rd.
The last two spots were occupied by teams from the host state; as Benue Queens finished 4th with 4 points; while Dream Girls of Gboko brought up the rear in 5th spot, with zero points.
