The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025 got underway in exciting fashion on Tuesday as defending champions Safety Babes and league debutants Soof Omo Ogiefo stole the show in the women’s category at the Samuel Ogbemudia Indoor Sports Hall and Etete Sports Center in Benin City, Edo State.
Safety Babes, sponsored by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), laid down an early marker in their quest for another title, thrashing Ekiti Queens 52–29.
Most Valuable Player Ada Okey led a clinical and commanding display that saw the champions take a 23–13 lead at halftime before pulling further away in the second half.
Photo Credit: Handball X
The biggest upset of the day came from Soof Omo Ogiefo, who stunned the more established Defender Babes 32–24 in their first-ever appearance in Nigeria’s top-tier women’s handball.
Backed by a lively home crowd, the Edo-based side led 15–12 at the break and maintained intensity to seal a famous win.
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Even a standout 11-goal performance from Defender Babes’ Blessing Iorlaha wasn’t enough to rescue the Civil Defence-backed side.
Elsewhere in the women’s category, Plateau Peacocks edged Rivers Queens 22–21 in a tightly contested encounter.
Photo Credit: Handball X
The Jos-based team, led by Choice Soji’s 9 goals, held off a late charge after taking a narrow 11–9 lead into halftime.
In the men’s division, reigning champions Tojemarine Academy kicked off their title defence with a composed 25–19 victory over newcomers Osun United.
The Lagos team took early control, leading 12–7 at halftime and maintaining their grip through disciplined defending and counter-attacking play.
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Rima Strikers edged COAS Shooters 26–25 in a nail-biting contest, while Niger United overpowered Adamawa Warriors 36–24.
Photo Credit: Handball X
Safety Shooters showed no mercy against Lagos Seasiders, cruising to a 36–18 win. In the final men’s fixture of the day, Correction Boys dominated De Defenders, finishing 26–13.
Day 1 Results – Tuesday, 08 July 2025
Women’s Matches
Safety Babes 52–29 Ekiti Queens (HT: 23–13)
Plateau Peacocks 22–21 Rivers Queens (HT: 11–09)
Defender Babes 24–32 Omo Ogiefo Academy (HT: 12–15)
Men’s Matches
Tojemarine Academy 25–19 Osun United (HT: 12–07)
Rima Strikers 26–25 COAS Shooters (HT: 12–11)
Niger United 36–24 Adamawa Warriors (HT: 12–09)
Safety Shooters 36–18 Lagos Seasiders (HT: 17–07)
Correction Boys 26–13 De Defenders (HT: 12–06)
