Safety Shooters, Safety Babes Reign Supreme as Phase 1 of Ardova Handball Premier League 2025 Et younds in Benin City

Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, both owned by the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), have emerged leaders in the male and female categories leagues respectively as the Phase 1 of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025 came to a close on Friday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.

Safety Shooters cemented their top spot in the men’s standings with a convincing 26–20 (16–07) victory over Niger United on the final day,  finishing with 28 points from 10 matches while also winning nine and losing only once.
Their campaign was backed by a league-high 322 goals scored and a staggering +91 goal difference, edging COAS Shooters, who also amassed 28 points to first place based on superior goal difference.

COAS Shooters wrapped up their phase with a dominant 38–31 (18–13) win over De Defenders but had to settle for second place due to their +50 goal difference while Rima Strikers completed the top three with 25 points, thanks to seven wins, one draw, and two defeats in 10 matches. 

Tojemarine Academy (24 points) and Correction Boys (22 points) rounded out the top five following their 

Niger United, as a result of their 26-20 loss to Safety Shooters, held on to sixth place with 19 points while Osun United, who edged Benue Buffaloes 20–19 (11–09), also finished with 19 points but had a slightly inferior goal difference.

De Defenders, Adamawa Warriors, Benue Buffaloes, and Lagos Seasiders, who lost 21–28 to Adamawa, occupies the eighth to eleventh spots respectively.

On the women’s side, defending champion Safety Babes proved untouchable throughout the seven-match phase, winning all their games to top the log with 21 points. Their impressive run included 242 goals scored and just 173 conceded, resulting in a +69 goal difference as they aim to win an unprecedented quintuple ( five-peat) of titles. 

Rima Queens solidified their second-place finish with a thrilling 34–31 (15–18) comeback victory over Soof Omo Ogiefo. They ended Phase 1 with 22 points; one behind Safety Babes with six wins and one draw. 

Plateau Peacocks came third with 15 points, while Imo Grasshoppers and Soof Omo Ogiefo followed in fourth and fifth places respectively.

Rivers Queens (6th), Defender Babes (7th), and Ekiti Queens (8th), who failed to win a single game, completed the women’s standings.

With Phase 1 concluded, attention now shifts to the decisive second phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League, where the champions will be crowned, and the battle for survival will take centre stage.

RESULTS OF DAY 11 (Final Day) MATCHES. 

FEMALE:

Soof Omo Ogiefo–Rima Queens 31–34 (18–15). 

MALE::

1) Benue Buffaloes–Osun United 19–20 (09–11). 

2) Lagos Seasiders–Adamawa Warriors 21–28 (11–13). 

3) De Defenders–COAS Shooters 31–38 (13–18).

4) Correction Boys–Tojemarine Academy 25–25 (15–15). 

5) Niger United–Safety Shooters 20–26 (07–16).