Liberia Handball Teams Head Home After Dismal IHF Zone 3 Qualifiers Campaign
Liberia's Under 18 and 20 National Handball Teams have departed Togo for Monrovia after a disappointing run in the just-ended International Handball Federation (IHF) Men's Africa Zone 3 qualifiers that led them to finish in the bottom of their group. The young Lone Star faced double defeats in their placement matches in the hand of host nation Togo. The U-18 team suffered a heavy defeat by 25–05, while the U-20 side also fell short, losing 30–12 to Togo.
W. Roland James
Lome, Togo: Liberia's Under 18 and 20 National Handball Teams have departed Togo for Monrovia after a disappointing run in the just-ended International Handball Federation (IHF) Men's Africa Zone 3 qualifiers that led them to finish in the bottom of their group.
The young Lone Star faced double defeats in their placement matches in the hand of host nation Togo. The U-18 team suffered a heavy defeat by 25–05, while the U-20 side also fell short, losing 30–12 to Togo.
Liberia Handball Teams' losses came after missing their opening matches of the competition due to late arrival—following delays at the Ghana–Togo border.
According to reports, the teams were left stranded following passports check at the Aflao border between Ghana and Togo.
A journalist traveling with the team revealed that the delegation was stuck for more than nine hours upon crossing into the Togolese territory, before later being released after the country's sports authority intervened.
Officials of the Liberia National Handball Federation said the situation caused serious trauma for the players and may have contributed to their poor performance in the qualifiers.
The situation also led to Liberia's forfeiture of her opening matches which ruled out her qualification chances. The teams were left with only an option for placement matches, to either improve their raking, but flopped in the group.
The 2026 International Handball Federation (IFH) Men's Africa Zone 3 qualifiers concluded over the week. It featured eight West African Zone 3 member countries including Liberia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria, and host nation Togo.
Meanwhile, Nigeria emerged victorious in both categories of the qualifiers. The Super Eagles' U-18 team secured a commanding 32–18 victory over Ivory Coast, while the U-20 side triumphed over Benin with a 39–29 scoreline, sealing a clean sweep for the West African giants.
By virtue of their victories, both Nigerian teams have advanced for the Africa Handball Nations Cup scheduled for later this year.
