From the 18-28 July the ANOCA 3rd African Youth Games took place in Algiers, Algeria and featured men’s and women’s handball competitions held at the Halle Harcha in the Algerian capital, one of the venues used for the 2017 IHF Men’s Junior (U21) World Championship.

 

The African Youth Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years to complement the current All-Africa Games with two previous editions in Rabat, Morocco (2010) and Gaborone, Botswana (2014).

 

In total, 3,300 athletes from 54 nations, engaged in 30 disciplines in Algeria with Egypt taking both the men’s and women’s handball crowns.

 

In the women’s competition, fifth place went to home team Algeria after they outclassed DR Congo in their 5/6 placement match 43:8, while Cameroon beat Burkina Faso 31:20 to finish on the podium with bronze. Egypt’s women won the final, clearly defeating Cape Verde by nine goals (30:21).

 

The men’s tournament saw Angola and Uganda battle it out in a closely-fought 5/6 placement match, with Angola eventually winning by one (29:28). Bronze was grabbed by Nigeria, who beat Morocco 24:17 and Egypt made it a double while breaking home nation hearts in a packed Halle Harcha, beating Algeria in the gold medal match 28:21.

 

“To reach the final is still a big performance and the silver medal is deserved,” said Algeria men’s coach Fateh Moulay to local media after the final. “I am very satisfied with the journey we have made, especially since we only had 15 days to prepare. 

 

“We are the only team of collective sports to have won a medal in Algeria as the players were able to take up the challenge and give the best of themselves.”

 

The ANOCA 4th African Youth Games is set to take place in 2022 in Maseru, Lesotho.

 

RESULTS

 

Wednesday 25 July

 

Women’s Competition

5/6 Placement Match: ALG vs COD 43:8

 

Men’s Competition

5/6 Placement Match: ANG vs UGA 29:28

 

Thursday 26 July

 

Women’s Competition

Semi-final: CPV vs BUR 12:0 (non-appearance of BUR)

Semi-final: EGY vs CMR 33:21

 

Men’s Competition

Semi-Final: EGY vs MAR 29:20

Semi-Final: ALG vs NGR 23:22

 

Friday 27 July

 

Women’s Competition

3/4 Placement/Bronze: BUR vs CMR 20:31

Final: EGY vs CPV 30:21

 

Men’s Competition

3/4 Placement/Bronze: MAR vs NGR 17:24

Final: ALG vs EGY 21:28

 

Photo: Algerian Handball Federation