After their 32:25 (18:10) semi-final win over Canada, Nigeria’s U19 coach Emeka Joseph Nnanami spoke with IHF.info about reaching the last match, himself and what he thinks about his team.
IHF.info: How do you feel after qualifying for the final?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: I am very proud of my team. We have played very well; the players have played what we have taught them from home, and we came here, and they played it: tactically and technically they all exhibited what they have been taught. I am happy for them.
IHF.info: How did you approach the match today?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: When we watched Canada play Kosovo yesterday we were not too sure, but after that match we watched our videos, we watched the way they played, and we told our boys what to play and who were their key players. We won the game with our goalkeeper and our pattern, our system; our techniques worked for us as well as our video analysis.
IHF.info: How important is it for a global tournament to feature Nigeria?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: The Nigerian teams are developing in this game. We need these kind of courts here in Nigeria which we don’t have. The IHF is helping us with equipment like balls, to help with training.
IHF.info: What most impressed you about your side today?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: Concentration, listening to me and playing to what they have learnt from home. We cannot change what we have learnt from home here and we want to make sure what we have practiced at home we put into play here.
IHF.info: What’s the plan before the final?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: I would love to go home now and focus on the game tomorrow, have a good rest, eat well and sleep and wait for the next match. We played them in our first match, and they beat us, so we have to go and concentrate more, rest and look at how to play them in tomorrow’s match.
IHF.info: Will you allow your players some time to celebrate?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: Sport is all about recreation. At times you have to enjoy yourself to make you come back to what you have learnt. They say that when you play too much it’s no good for anybody, so we have to play too and then concentrate on the game.
IHF.info: How long have you been coach for this team and what is your handball background?
Emeka Joseph Nnanami: 1 year 4 months. I have a handball academy. I’m actually a soldier in the army school of physical training. I played handball for 28 years in Nigeria - I didn’t play for the national team, but for regional sides and clubs. I was a goalkeeper and pivot.
Photo: Kosovo Handball Federation