Nigeria’s Right Back, Faruk Yusuf told www.aclsports.com that the team were not intimidated by the size of the Libyans at the ongoing 2024 African Senior Men’s Handball Nations Cup in Egypt.
Nigeria beat Libya 31 to 24 goals in the 9th to 12th classification match with Faruk Yusuf named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match.
The Franklin BM Granollers HC player revealed that the players were determined to prove a point to the North Africans that Nigeria is no pushover.
The former De Defender HC player believes the crop of players in the senior national team can make a huge difference in the coming years.
Yusuf said, “We were not intimidated by the size of the Libyan team. In fact, our coach told us to run them down after he observed the tactics of the North African team. During the first half, they tried to cut off my position tactically but they could not execute their plans.
“Personally, I was neither bothered nor intimidated by the Libyans. I have played in the Moroccan Handball League and I know a lot about their style of play.
“I felt great after being announced the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match; I was full of joy because the match took us a step further to play in the final of the President’s Cup (9th to 10 classification). The MVP is for the whole team due to our teamwork as well as determination to make the country proud”, he told www.aclsports.com
He further said, “I strongly believe we have what it takes to make a huge statement in Africa. The chemistry of the team is solid, the togetherness is top notch and the coach is one of the most respected gaffers in Africa”.
Ahead of the 2023 African Games, Yusuf said, “it is going to be a tough one, but like I said earlier I believe the squad and I am certain we all have one goal which is to win as well as rule Africa. We are to return with a medal by the grace of God”.
