At the Ouaga 2000 arena, Benin’s Amazones etch their names in handball history

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the Palais des Sports de Ouaga 2000 hosted the final of the IHF Nations Trophy for senior women in Zone 3. In a heart-stopping contest that remained undecided until the final whistle, Benin’s national women’s team edged out Côte d’Ivoire 29-28, securing the competition’s inaugural title and a direct berth at the 2026 African Women’s Handball Cup of Nations.

Beninese handball now shines in golden letters. After a grueling and fully controlled run on Burkinabè soil, the Amazones wrote a historic chapter in this first edition dedicated to West African senior women’s selections. This triumph rewards the extensive groundwork laid by the national federations and elevates Benin among the subregion’s leading handball nations.

An agonizingly tight final

Facing a seasoned and sharp Ivorian side, the Beninese players had to dig deep to tip the balance. From the opening whistle, the physical battle was intense, with neither team able to establish a decisive lead.

The match was decided in the dying moments. Thanks to remarkable defensive solidity and exemplary composure in set attacks, the Benin selection held on to a precious one-goal advantage as the siren sounded.

The reward for a heroic campaign

This final success is the culmination of a memorable tournament for Benin. In the semi-finals, the Amazones had already made a statement by eliminating Nigeria 38-37 after extra time, in one of the most spectacular matches of the competition.

By winning this final, the Beninese handball players not only lift the Zone 3 continental trophy, but they also punch their ticket to the final phase of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Tunisia. An ideal showcase to continue flying the national colors high at the highest level of African handball.