Ghana’s under-19 and under-17 women’s handball teams launched their 2025 IHF Challenge Trophy campaigns with contrasting fortunes in Abidjan on Sunday, as the U-19 squad secured a comeback victory while the U-17 side suffered a heavy defeat.
Competing in the Africa Zone III tournament, the teams faced off against regional rivals in matches that highlighted both resilience and areas for growth.
The U-19 team overcame a shaky start to defeat the Central African Republic (CAR) 23-16 at Palais des Sports Treichville. Trailing 3-0 early, Ghana clawed back to level the score at 8-8 by halftime. A dominant second-half performance, fueled by coordinated defense and aggressive attacks through the center, saw Mary Akaasa, Josephine Mensah, and Edna Benyingi spearhead a 10-minute scoring blitz. Akaasa, named match MVP, anchored the team’s late defensive shift to seal the win. Head coach Raphael Sifah praised the turnaround but emphasized the need for sharper starts: “We’ll refine our strategies to address first-half lapses,” he said.
In contrast, the U-17 team struggled against Burkina Faso, falling 41-27 despite a spirited effort. Ghana trailed 15-21 at halftime and could not bridge the gap, with defensive errors and missed opportunities compounding their challenges. Coach Sifah, who oversees both squads, remained optimistic, framing the loss as part of the team’s developmental journey. “This tournament is about growth. With time, these players will adapt,” he asserted.
The U-19 side next faces Burkina Faso on Monday, while the U-17 team meets Togo in a bid to rebound. Ghana’s mixed opening day underscores the tournament’s role as a critical platform for emerging talent, particularly in a region where competitive opportunities for youth handball remain limited. For the U-19s, the win injects momentum into their gold medal aspirations, but consistency will be key against stiffer opposition.
Ghana’s participation in the Challenge Trophy reflects broader efforts to elevate handball’s profile domestically, where the sport trails football in popularity and investment. Past campaigns have seen sporadic success, but stakeholders argue that sustained international exposure for youth teams is vital to building a competitive pipeline. As the tournament progresses, focus will shift to whether Ghana can leverage this experience to close the gap with established powerhouses like Cameroon and Ivory Coast, while addressing systemic challenges in coaching infrastructure and athlete development.
