Egypt’s national handball men’s team surprised the audience Saturday in the presence of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and Minister of Youth and Sports Khaled Abdel-Aziz when they won over its strongest competitor, the Tunisian national handball men’s team, (21-19) in the 22nd African Handball Cup of Nations.
Since Egypt won this continental competition, it is now directly qualified to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in June 2016. Because of its victory against Angolan national handball men’s team (25-15) in the semifinal, the Egyptian team is also now qualified for the 2017 IHF World Men’s handball Championship in France from 11 until 29 January 2017.
This is the sixth occasion for Egypt to win this competition since it obtained the title in 1991, 1992, 2000, 2004, and 2008. Tunisia on the other hand acquired this completion’s title nine times in 1974, 1976, 1979, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2012.
Since 1974, Egypt played against Tunisia in final matches seven times in 1979, 1992, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2016. In 1979, Tunisia was victorious (21-17); Egypt won in 1992 and 2004 (31-28); in 2006 Tunisia won (26-21); in 2008 Egypt won (27-25); in 2010 Tunisia won (24-21); and finally in 2016, Egypt won (21-19).
Egyptian players have also shined in this championship 2016 since team player Ahmed El-Ahmar was awarded the titles of Best Back Right, Best Scorer of this championship, and Best Player of this African championship.
