Jackson Richardson, the 1995 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, IHF World Championship double gold medallist and Olympic bronze medallist, saw his Gabon side crash out of medal contention in their home tournament yesterday after losing 26:23 to Morocco in their quarter-final clash of the 2018 CAHB Men’s African Championships, currently being played in Libreville, Gabon.

 

With the top three spots in Africa not only meaning a medal, but also confirming qualification for the 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship in Germany/Denmark, Richardson was hoping his team, who he took over in April could make it to the final four, but with just nine first-half goals, the pressure was on and the host nation could not overcome the north Africans.

 

In the three other matches, Tunisia eased past DR Congo 38:21 and title holders – and favourites – Egypt, cruised past Congo 37:22. The remaining quarter-final was the closest of them all with west African team Angola beating Algeria 29:27.

 

The results meant that Tunisia will play Angola and Morocco will face Egypt in the last four with the two semi-finals set to be played today (25 January) as well as the 9/10 placement match after Nigeria and Cameroon both finished last (5th) in their groups.

 

After a rest day tomorrow (Friday 26 January), the 5/6 and 7/8 placement matches will be played on Saturday 27 January ahead of the bronze medal match (13:00hrs) and then match number 33 – the final (19:00hrs).

 

SCHEDULE: Thursday 25 January

All times local to Gabon, all games to be played at Le Palais des Sports de Libreville

 

SEMI-FINALS

 

17:00    TUN vs ANG

19:00    MAR vs EGY

 

5-8 PLACEMENT ROUND

13:00    COD vs ALG

15:00    GAB vs CGO

 

9/10 PLACEMENT

11:00    NGR vs CMR

 

QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS

 

Wednesday 24 January

 

TUN vs COD 38:21 (21:12)

ANG vs ALG 29:27 (13:12)

CGO vs EGY 22:37 (15:18)

GAB vs MAR 23:26 (9:11)

 

For further information visit www.cahbonline.info.

 Photo: CAHB