Egypt Clinches Africa Handball Crown: A Ten-Time Triumph Over Tunisia
31 January 2026
Egypt Clinches Africa Handball Title
Egypt's national handball team claimed the Africa Cup of Nations title for the tenth time, beating Tunisia 37-24 in the final held on Saturday in Rwanda. The Pharaohs sealed their fourth consecutive crown, matching Tunisia's record of 10 titles in Africa's premier handball competition.
Under Spanish coach Javier Pascual, Egypt topped their group with three straight wins over Gabon, Angola, and Uganda, then continued their strong run in the main round with wins over Algeria and a commanding victory against Nigeria.
In the semi-final, Egypt overcame Cape Verde 32-26 to reach the final opposite Tunisia. The roster featured players such as Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Essam Al-Tiyar, Abdulrahman Hamid, Akram Yousri, Mohamed Emad Oka, Ahmed Hisham Sisa, Mohamed Moamen Safa, Yahya Khaled, Mohab Said, Ali Zein, Ahmed Hisham Dodo, Nabil Sharif, Hisham Salah, Ibrahim El Masri, Ahmed Adel, Yasser Saif, Mahmoud Abdelaziz Jado, Yahya El-Der, and Sayed Sief.
The Egyptians started the final on equal terms, but a decisive spell around the 20th minute widened the gap to five points and they carried a seven-point lead into halftime, before widening the margin further after the break.
Earlier on Saturday, Cape Verde clinched bronze by defeating Algeria 29-23. The results ensured Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Cape Verde will compete at next year’s world championship in Germany.
Road to the Title and Key Moments
The Rwanda-hosted tournament showcased Egypt’s consistency, with standout performances across the squad and depth that allowed them to absorb pressure and maintain momentum against the continent’s best.
The coaching setup balanced disciplined defense with a sharp attack, turning a title defense into a landmark achievement and sparking celebrations across the region—handball with a touch of swagger.
Punchlines: If defense were a fashion trend, Egypt would wear a full steel tuxedo. And if you blinked during the final, you might have missed the ball—and perhaps a Tunisian coach requesting a rerun, which the referee somehow granted... in a living room near you.
