Ahmed Abdel (front) of Egypt shoots during the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Host Egypt won the 26th African Men's Handball Championship after a 29-21 win over Algeria in the final here on Saturday.
The Pharaohs showed an outstanding performance, dominating the first half with 17-10. Although the Algerians made a comeback in the second half, it was not enough for an overturn.
It is the third consecutive African title and the ninth in total for the Egyptian handball men's team since the biennial championship debuted in 1974.
Egypt reached the final after defeating 10-time title holders Tunisia, while Algeria made it by beating Cape Verde.
Earlier in the day, Tunisia beat Cape Verde in the third-place playoff.
Following the final match, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi congratulated the Egyptian team on the big achievement.
"I would like to praise the heroic performance of all the team members. Egypt's handball team has become a model of success, staying at the top of the game," Sisi said in a statement.
Gathering 16 African teams, the tournament kicked off on January 17. Egypt has earned a direct ticket for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the top five -- Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Guinea -- qualify for the 2025 World Men's Handball Championship that will be held in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway.
So far, all the 26 editions of the tournament were won by only three North African countries: Tunisia 10 times, Egypt nine times, and Algeria seven. ■
Team Egypt celebrate after winning the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Ali Mohamed (2nd L) of Egypt competes during the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Ayyoub Abdi (top) of Algeria shoots during the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Mohab Abdelhak (top) of Egypt shoots during the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Ali Mohamed (top) of Egypt shoots during the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Yahia Omar (top) of Egypt shoots during the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Team Egypt celebrate after winning the final between Egypt and Algeria at the 2024 African Men's Handball Championship in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
