Tojemarine Academy male handball club of Lagos recorded another loss at the ongoing first phase of the 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League.

They lost 23-29 against the experienced Niger United of Minna for their fourth loss from eight games played so far.

The match was a clash of the experienced versus the young ones, with Tojemarine Academy looking what they are — an academy.

They were 10-17 against Niger United by the end of the first half and failed to turn the game round.

Speaking after the match, Bright Agubata, coach of Tojemarine Academy, noted that Niger United were a very good side with experienced players and coaches.

“But that notwithstanding, I don’t really know what happened to my team. My players had a lot of turnovers in the second half, about seven to nine penalty kicks, but they couldn’t convert any to goal,” said Agubata.

He, however, pointed out that they lost the game mostly on his team’s technical side.

”The reason is that we were only pushing the players to play in their own ways, not guiding them. Looking at the other games we played in the league so far, our players fought hard with fighting spirit, while in this game they didn’t play well,” explained the coach. “But boys are faced with fatigue, which is now showing on them. However, in a game like this, we don’t really need to relax, especially as we played against them last season and we beat them.”

He said his team would now work more on team offensive formations.

In the other matches played in the league’s male category on Monday, Rima Strikers lost to Safety Shooters 20-35.

Also, Benue Buffaloes lost 16-17 to Police Machine, while Kano Pillars walked over Kada Stars and Owena Kings lost to D:Defenders 27-35.

In the female category on Monday, Benue Queens beat Plateau Peacocks 23-21 while Rima Queens narrowly beat Adorable Angels 24-23.

Seasider Babes lost to Defender Babes 27-36, while Bendel Dynamos walked over Kada Queens.

(NAN)