Debutants Rima Queens of Sokoto female handball team on Monday beat Bendel Dynamos Rebranded of Benin City 31-29 in the opening match of the ongoing 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League.
In the match played at the Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Rima Queens won their first game in the 10-team female category of the league.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the first half, Bendel Dynamos took the lead 15 -12 in the cagey encounter but Rima Queens rallied on to end the match 31-29.
Coach of Rima Queens, Sulieman Abdullahi told NAN that his team would work harder to improve on their performance and ensure victory in subsequent matches.
“This is our first time of participating in the premier league. We will approach the remaining matches in the league with more seriousness to ensure that we continue winning.
“We actually took the lead few minutes to the end of the second half; we did little changes and took over the match.
“But we will go back to the drawing board and try to increase on our scoring chances in our next match,” he said.
On Tuesday, Rima Queens will face Plateau Peacocks in their second match, While Bendel Dynamos Rebranded will tackle Seasider Babes.
In other matches in the female category played on Monday, Kada Queens of Kaduna were walked over by D-Defenders Babes of Abuja.
In the male category , Defending champions, Kano Pillars thrashed Police Machine 29-15 as they began their title defence on a bright note.
Debutants Benue Buffaloes shocked Seasiders Boys of Lagos 29-22.
A total of 22 teams, comprising 10 females and 12 males are participating in the premier league.
The league, which began on Monday, will end on June 2, with all matches being played at the Package B and Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Teams in the female category include Adorable Angels of Ilorin, Benue Queens of Markudi, Defender Babes of Civil Defence, Bendel Dynamos rebranded of Benin City and Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri.
Kada Queens of Kaduna, Plateau Peacocks of Jos, Rima Queens of Sokoto, Safety Babes of FRSC and Seasiders Babes of Lagos are also competing for honour.
The male teams include Benue Buffaloes of Markudi, Confluence Kings of Lokoja, De Defenders of Civil Defence, Kada Stars of Kaduna, Kano Pillars of Kano, Niger United of Minna and Owena Kings of Akure.
Police Machines, Rima Strikers of Sokoto, Safety Shooters of FRSC, Seasider Boys of Lagos and Tojemarine Academy of Lagos are also in contention.
The 2021 defending champions in the female category is Safety Babes while Kano Pillars are male defending champions. (NAN)
