2003 All-African Games bronze medallist, Agboola Shittu is overjoyed after guiding TojeMarine Handball Club to their first-ever 2024 Ardova Handball League title.
For Shittu, this victory marks the culmination of years of effort, having previously finished as runners-up with two different clubs.
TojeMarine HC had finished second place at the 2023 Ardova Handball League, behind champions Niger United, making this year’s triumph all the more special.
In an interview with www.aclsports.com, Shittu reflected on the long road to success, calling the achievement a dream come true.
“It’s my very first league trophy after years of unsuccessful attempts, and it came at the right time with the right club. This victory, however, is not just about the trophy; it’s a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and belief in his vision for the team”.
Shittu continued, “For four seasons, no money was released to Lagos Seasiders to attend the league. We were tasking everyone to attend. It was sheer determination from the players and coaches to bring glory to Lagos.
“These hardships made the wins feel even more rewarding, but the frustration of inadequate resources and financial instability was always looming. Despite that, we secured one silver and three bronze medals.”
After taking a two-year break from the league to refresh and develop his skills, Shittu returned to handball with renewed focus and vision.
“With the help of my mentor, I used the time away from the league to refine my approach. In my first season back, I led TojeMarine to a runner-up finish in 2023, a promising sign of what was to come. In the same year, I also made an impact with the Nigeria National Under-18 female team, securing three podium finishes,” Shittu added.
He further explained, “In 2024, we completed the brushing of the players and were ready for the title. With the unwavering support of the club’s CEO and management, the team clinched the coveted Ardova Handball League title. This is the first time a Lagos team has ever won the league, and the first time a South West state team or club will win the league.”
Shittu, who had previously won the league as a player with Safety Shooters of Abuja, expressed that the victory as a coach felt especially rewarding.
Despite the excitement of winning the league, Shittu remains focused on the future.
“For TojeMarine, we are already putting in place structures to double our efforts in the Nigeria league. As expected, the 2025 season won’t be a rollercoaster, and if we must remain at the top, we have to double our efforts,” Shittu asserted.
