TojeMarine Academy and Rima Strikers of Sokoto recorded big wins on day 1 of the 2023 Ardova Handball Premier League by beating former champions as well as defending champions of the league on Tuesday.
TojeMarine Academy schooled former champions, Safety Shooters 28-25 goals to move to second position on the log while Rima Strikers compounded the woes of defending champion, Kano Pillars 27-23 goals to remain seventh on the league table.
The head coach of TojeMarine Academy, Agboola Shittu said his team is prepared and positioned for all their matches.
He told www.aclsports.com that the win against Safety Shooters is a big motivation for the team.
Shittu said, “Safety Shooters are former champions and a name to be reckoned with in handball. It’s a big motivation for me and the team. I am glad the team won their first match of the league.
“We are always being prudent with our expectations as our team is a youthful side. We take each match as they come, the team is prepared and positioned for all the matches. Hopefully, at the end of the league, we hope to have a good standing”.
Meanwhile, head coach of Rima Strikers, Abdulhakim Yakubu said, “I am very excited because Kano Pillars have always been troubling us in the league; though we defeated them during the zonal eliminations of the 2022 National Sports Festival.
“My target in the 2023 Ardova League this season is to come among the first three teams and my message to the team is to be determined and remain focused during the remaining matches.”
Day 1 Men’s Results
De Defenders 18-24 Confluence Stars
Niger United 30-22 Correction Boys
Kano Pillars 23-27 Rima Strikers
Lagos Seasiders 31-24 Benue Buffaloes
Bendel Dynamos 23-25 Police Machine
TojeMarine Academy 28-25 Safety Shooters
Women
Rima Queens 30-21 Bayelsa Queens
Delta Queens 18-19 Benue Queens
Seasider Babes 25-24 Bendel Dynamos
Defender Babes 26-27 Safety Babes
Plateau Peacocks 22-22 Imo Grasshoppers
