Niger United of Minna kept their chase of the top two in the 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League with a vital win, on Day 9; by holding off a strong resistance put up by Rima Strikers of Sokoto to record a crushing 35-20 victory.
The win kept them in 3rd spot, and in touching distance from the leaders, Kano Pillars and FRSC Safety Shooters as Phase 1 of the competition enters the home stretch.
In other men’s matches decided on Tuesday, De Defenders of the NSCDC edged Benue Buffaloes of Makurdi 26-24; Kano Pillars has to think outside the box to defeat Tojemarine 29-25 it ended in favour of the defending champions, who tops the log on superior goals difference.
FRSC Safety Shooters who are tied on the same 27 points with Pillars, will need to beat the Sai Masu Gida today (Wednesday) if Coach Clement Nwankwo’s tutored side is to brighten their chances of usurping Kano Pillars to win the 2022 title.
Other than this, the encounter is an eagerly anticipatied grudge match, as the FRSC team who defeated Seasider Boys of Lagos 30-22 on Tuesday were beaten to the title after they lost to Pillars, in a shock defeat.
Meanwhile, Confluence Stars heaped more misery on hapless Owena Kings who were beaten 31-28 despite putting in a very good fight; and Police Machine walked over Kada Stars, to pocket 3 points +10 goals.
In the Women’s league, NSCDC Defender Babes annihilated Benue Queens with a 40-19; Seasider Babes got a battling 37-34 victory over Adorable Angels of Ilorin; while Safety Babes comfortably defeated Bendel Dynamos 32-22 to stay top of the table.
Elsewhere, Imo Grasshoppers defeated Plateau Peacocks 23-17; and Kada Queens of Kaduna were again walked over by Rima Queens of Sokoto.
Reporting by Chinedum Ohanusi; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare