By Adekunle-Oni Daniel
On October 25, 2025, the University of Ibadan male and female handball teams hosted the male and female handball team of the FUNAD Sports Academy on the Handball Court, SUB, University of Ibadan. The games slated for 11am started rather late at 1pm with the female’s match.
The FUNAD female handball team outclassed the UI female handball team, beating them on home soil 19-3. It was a show of class over skill as the UI female handball team won more fouls but could not beat their way into FUNAD’s net.
The game started with UI at FUNAD’s corner, winning fouls, but a loose ball gave FUNAD the way out and their connection brought a goal, drawing the first blood in the game. The UI female handball team responded immediately with a shot from Adesewa, beating the FUNAD’s goalkeeper.
UI female handball team seemed confident with the goal and had openings which the FUNAD team made no mistake in punishing the UI team with. With UI female handball team unable to respond to any of the goals in the first half, FUNAD kept on scoring till the first 30 minutes ended. At the end of the first half, the score line was held at 15-2 in favor of the FUNAD female handball team.
The second half started with show of class from the FUNAD academy scoring immediately as the game started. Team UI later got a goal in from a shot by Jochebed, forcing her way through the defensive line of the FUNAD team and firing a powerful shot into the net.
UI conceded lesser goals in the second half of the game after Abigael came in as the goalkeeper, reducing the deficit. The final goal of UI came from Jochebed scoring from the penalty spot.
Other opportunities came for the UI female handball team to score, but they were unable to convert any of the shots to a goal. The referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the game, leaving the scoreline at 19-3.
In the second game of the day, the UI male handball team defeated the FUNAD male handball team 26-17.
UI team started the game with determination to win, as Farouk scored few seconds at the start of the game. FUNAD tried to strike back with a goal, but were unable to convert, leaving opening in their defense and giving UI the opportunity to score a second. Farouk made no mistake in finding the back of the net giving UI a 2-0 lead at the early minutes of the first half.
FUNAD struck one in back, but UI gave a sharp response putting the scoreline at 3-1. Both teams showed strength, skill, and handball knowledge in the first half, but the UI male handball team was leading 10-8 at the end of the first 30 minutes of the game. One notable player on the court was the UI goalkeeper, Olumide Olofintula, who stopped most of the shots played by the FUNAD team, keeping the team in the game.
The second half was filled with excitement from the spectators. Both teams played to the delight of the fans, electrifying the atmosphere in a beautiful game of handball. The UI team came in strong, scoring at every opening found.
At the end of the game, the score board showed UI coming on top with 26 goals against FUNAD’s 17 goals. All players from UI except the center back, Babalola Oche who provided 5 assists in the game, scored. Farouk scored only 2 goals in the game which were the opening goals, Olaomo Oladotun had 4 goals, Muazu Saubana had 7 goals, Soladoye scored 4 goals for the UI team.
