A Look At The Promoted Teams In the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025
The Ardova Handball Premier League is back and the 2025 league will begin with the first phase which will hold in Benin City, Edo State from the 7th to 20th of July 2025. It promises to be lit.
Twenty two teams (12 male teams and 10 female teams are ready to play for the highest prize and showcase the best of handballing experience in the highest handball competition in Nigeria.
Our sponsor, Ardova PLC are ready to work with us once again and the teams are ready.
In the Men Category we have as listed;
1. Tojemarine Handball Club
2. Kano pillars
3. Niger united
4. Lagos Seasiders Boys
5. Adamawa warriors
6. Benue buffaloes
7. COAS shooters
8. De defenders
9. Safety shooters
10. Osun United
11. Correctional Boys
12. Rima strikers
In the Women’s Category;
1. Safety babes
2. Defender babes
3. Rima queens
4. Plateau peacocks
5. Rivers queens
6. Seasider babes
7. Delta queens
8. Imo grasshoppers
9. Omo Ogeifo
10. Ekiti queens
In the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 , four teams were relegated while four team gained promotion into the Ardova Handball Premier League in the men and women’s categories respectively from the National Division One League.
Here’s an in-depth look at the four teams promoted to the Ardova Handball Premier League. Their journey culminates at Phase 1, set to kick off in Benin City, Edo State, marking a fresh and exciting chapter in Nigerian handball.
Men’s Category
COAS Shooters
Promotion path & achievements:
Entered the final after a 17–13 semi-final win over Police Machine in the National Division 1 League .
Went on to clinch the Division 1 title with a 21–16 victory over Osun United in the final at Benin City’s Indoor Sports Hall .
After relegation around 2021–22, they bounced back with support from the then Chief of Army Staff Lt‑Gen. Lagbaja .
Known for strong tactical depth and military discipline; they return as champions, aiming to assert themselves in the Premier League.
Osun United
Promotion path & achievements:
Qualified with a narrow 22–20 semi-final win over Plateau Vipers .
Lost the Division 1 final 16–21 to COAS Shooters but still earned promotion into the Ardova Handball Premier League
Women’s Category
Omo Ogiefo Academy
Sealed a dramatic semi-final win (14–8) over Abia Valiants .
Crowned National Division One League champions after a thrilling 18–17 win versus Ekiti Queens .
Background & outlook:
Based in Benin City, they’re backed by robust support from Edo’s sports community
Known for resilience and tactical flair, they aim to leverage the home advantage during the upcoming phase.
Ekiti Queens
Promotion path & achievements:
Advanced to the final thanks to a 23–20 semi-final win against Coal City Babes .
Though runners-up in Division 1, they secured promotion alongside Omo Ogiefo under the tutelage of Coach Kayode
They have demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the tournament; bringing a blend of speed and scoring aptitude, they’re ready to challenge established Premier League squads.
These promoted teams will be facing tougher opponents led by defending champions Tojemarine Handball Club and Safety Babes.
Tojemarine Handball Club and Safety Babes are the defending champions in the male and female categories respectively with Tojemarine hoping to defend their title for the first time in their history while Safety Babes will begin their campaign to win their 5th unprecedented consecutive title in the women’s category
In her 7th season, the Ardova Handball Premier League is the biggest handball competition in Nigeria and it promises to be big. Can the promoted teams compete with the well established teams in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025?
Only time will tell.
