By Joan Nnenna Iwuchuckwu
Kano Pillars and Safety Babes have been crowned champions of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2021.
Kano Pillars won the league for the second time in two three years, topping the league table with 29 points, edging out Safety Shooters (who have same points) with the head to head rule.
Kano Pillars had defeated Rima Strikers 29-19 earlier on the final day of the league, Wednesday, and only found out that they were the league winners in the male category after Niger United, who needed to win to emerge champion of the league, lost their match against Safety Shooters 26-19.
Safety Shooters with the victory against Rima Strikers, finished second while Niger United finished third.
In other results in the male category, Confluence Stars defeated Kada Stars 30-27 while Plateau Vipers are relegated from the league after a 26-25 defeat to Seasider Boys of Lagos who finished fourth on the league table.
In the women category, Safety Babes were crowned champion after defeating Defender Babes on Day 13 (Tuesday) 27-23 which confirmed that they have won the league with 25 points, two points ahead of now former champion, Adorable Angels who lost to Edo Dynamos 23-21 to finish second.
Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri finished third.
Bayelsa Queens, who were making their debut in the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League, were relegated after they lost to Plateau Peacocks 24-23.
Bayelsa Queens needed to win or draw against Peacocks but failed to hold on to their lead which eventually became their undoing.
They join Confluence Queens who have also been relegated.
Kano Pillars and Safety Babes, who coincidentally won the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League title in 2019, got a cash price of 1.25 Million Naira while the second and third place teams got 1 million naira and 750,000 naira respectively.
They will also represent Nigeria in the continental club handball championships.
DAY 14 (03/11/21)
FINAL DAY MATCHES’ RESULTS:::
FEMALE:::::
1) Bayelsa Queens — Plateau Peacocks 23–24
2) Edo Dynamos — AdorableAngels 23–21.
MALE…
1) Kada Stars — Confluence Stars 27–30.
2) Plateau Vipers — Lagos Seasiders 25–26.
3) Rima Strikers — Kano Pillars 19–29.
4) Niger United — Safety Shooters 19–26
