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Nigeria’s Senior Men’s Handball Team, the Golden Arrows, began their campaign at the 27th Africa Handball Nations Cup with a closely-fought 25–23 victory over Algeria in their opening Group A match, on Wednesday, in Kigali, Rwanda.

The encounter, played at the Petit Stade, saw Nigeria take early control and head into the break with a 16–13 first-half advantage, thanks to a disciplined defensive display and efficient finishing in attack, by Coach Rafiu Salami tutored side.

Algeria mounted a strong fightback after the restart, closing the gap and testing Nigeria’s resolve, but the Golden Arrows held firm in the closing minutes to secure a deserved two-point win, at the end of regulation time.

Key contributions came from Faruk Yusuf, who provided leadership and goals from the backcourt, while John Shagari was influential on the left flank.

In goal, Army Shooters keeper Michael Agbaji produced crucial saves at decisive moments to frustrate the Algerians and preserve Nigeria’s narrow lead, and his brilliant saves, and overall play earned him the man of the match award.

The win places Nigeria in a strong position in Group A, which also features hosts Rwanda and Zambia.

The Golden Arrows will return to action on Thursday, when they face Zambia in their second group match, scheduled for 1:00pm Nigerian time, as they continue their quest for a podium finish in the continental championship, which also serves as qualifiers for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship, in Germany.

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Moises Caicedo’s late goal gave Chelsea a vital 1-0 win against Cypriot minnows Pafos on Wednesday as the Blues moved closer to automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16.

In Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League game as Chelsea boss, Caicedo netted in the closing stages at Stamford Bridge to end Pafos’ stubborn resistance.

Chelsea’s fourth victory from seven Champions League group stage matches lifted them into eighth place.

A win at Napoli in their final group game on January 28 would likely be enough to send Chelsea through to the last 16, depending on other results.

The Blues would face the unwanted stress of a play-off round if they finish outside the top eight.

Rosenior has won three times and lost once in his first four games since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, who left Stamford Bridge after mounting tensions with the club’s hierarchy.

It was far from plain sailing for Rosenior as Chelsea struggled to find a way past inspired Pafos keeper Jay Gorter before Caicedo made the breakthrough.

Optimistic Chelsea fans have noted their two Champions League triumphs in 2012 and 2021 came after they changed manager in mid-season.

But there is a long way to go before Rosenior can hope to emulate those iconic victories masterminded by Roberto Di Matteo and Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea have been steady rather than eye-catching so far under Rosenior, with far sterner tests lying in wait in the surprise choice to replace Maresca.

– Wake-up call –

Rosenior made six changes from the 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday, with injured England forward Cole Palmer absent due to a slight strain.

Brazilian veteran David Luiz, a 2012 Champions League winner with Chelsea, was on the bench for Pafos, who were far from overawed in their first ever match against English opposition.

Chelsea laboured for long periods and even when Enzo Fernandez had the ball in the net in the 18th minute, the midfielder’s close-range header was disallowed for a push.

Chelsea nearly gifted Pafos a shock opener when a wayward back-pass to Filip Jorgensen was almost intercepted by Anderson Silva, but the Blues keeper chested the ball away from danger.

Rosenior’s men had lost their momentum and Pafos went close when Jaja’s shot from just inside the area took a wicked deflection off Reece James and hit the post with Jorgensen rooted to the spot.

That near-miss served as a wake-up call and Caicedo’s blast was pushed away by Gorter before Benoit Badiashile glanced a header narrowly wide moments later.

Caicedo’s long-range drive forced another good stop from Gorter, who also repelled Jorrel Hato’s fierce strike just before half-time.

Frustration was mounting among Chelsea supporters and Rosenior made a double change at the break, sending on Robert Sanchez for Jorgensen and Estevao Willian for James.

Estevao nearly made an instant impact with a stinging volley that Gorter saved at full stretch.

Gorter was enjoying the game of his life and he denied Pedro Neto and Caicedo with two more fine saves.

To Rosenior’s immense relief, Chelsea finally found a way past Gorter in the 78th minute.

Pafos couldn’t clear a corner and Caicedo arrived to flick his header into the far corner from close range

AFP

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Algerian players Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali have been banned for two and four matches, respectively, for their part in ugly scenes following a quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.

The news was announced on Wednesday by the Algerian football federation (FAF), which was fined $100,000 for security lapses and improper conduct by players, officials, and supporters.

Goalkeeper Zidane and defender Belghali will serve their suspensions during qualifying for the 2027 tournament.

The FAF said it was lodging an appeal to challenge the sanctions.

Algeria were denied a penalty with the game locked at 0-0 before they eventually lost 2-0 to Nigeria thanks to second-half goals by Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.

After the final whistle, a scuffle broke out between both sets of players and staff.

The FAF said the fines included charges for fans attempting to invade the pitch and displaying banknotes towards match officials.

Super Eagles booked their place in the semi-finals after a commanding victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

The Desert Foxes, who had conceded just one goal throughout the tournament before the quarter-final, were undone by Nigeria’s relentless pressure and clinical second-half finishing.

Alex Iwobi split the Algerian defence with a delightful outside-of-the-boot pass, Osimhen selflessly squared the ball across goal, and Adams calmly rounded goalkeeper Luca Zidane before slotting into an empty net.

Algeria struggled to impose itself and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match, despite second-half changes that included the introduction of Baghdad Bounedjah.

The Eagles, who lost to hosts Morocco in the semi-final, however, won the third-place match against Egypt.

This gave Nigeria their ninth third-place finish at the continental showpiece.