The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has confirmed that the second phase of the 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League will take place in Lagos from November 26 to December 6, 2025.
According to a statement signed by the HFN General Secretary, Monica Otumala, on Friday, the top-tier league—proudly sponsored by Ardova PLC—will be staged at two venues: the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Surulere, and the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.
Teams are expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, November 25, with a crucial Technical Meeting scheduled for the same day. Matches will kick off on Wednesday, November 26, and run through to Saturday, December 6, when the season’s champions will be crowned. Teams will depart on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Otumala urged all participating clubs to begin preparations early and ensure completion of all documentary registrations ahead of the competition.
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“The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is pleased to inform you that the 2nd phase of the 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League will take place from November 25 to December 7, 2025, in Lagos State,” she said.
“Participating teams must make all necessary arrangements to plan their arrival and departure within the stated period, and all documentary registrations of players must be completed on or before November 10, 2025,” Otumala added.
The Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, both owned by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), currently lead the men’s and women’s divisions respectively after the first phase of the league, which was held in Benin City, Edo State, in July.
In the men’s category, Safety Shooters sit atop the table with 28 points and a +97 goal difference, narrowly ahead of COAS Shooters, who also have 28 points but a lesser +50 goal difference. Rima Strikers of Sokoto occupy third place with 25 points, while defending champions Tojemarine Handball Club follow in fourth with 24 points.
Hansi Flick’s side were hammered 4-1 by Sevilla before the international break and must regroup before facing Real Madrid on October 26.
Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez said Barca’s performance in Seville was the team’s worst under Flick, and since then Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have suffered injuries to deepen their plight.
However Yamal and Fermin Lopez returned to training this week and are expected to be fit to face Girona, while Raphinha is also nearing a return.
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Barcelona’s Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal warms up prior the UEFA Champions League league phase day 2 football match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on October 1, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Teenage star Yamal missed the thrashing by Sevilla and then Spain’s World Cup qualifiers with the recurrence of a groin problem, but should feature against Girona in a derby clash.
Yamal’s expected return is a welcome boost for Barca ahead of a busy period, with a Champions League match against Olympiacos following on Tuesday ahead of the Clasico.
Joan Garcia, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are longer-term absentees and Flick’s options remain thin, without much room for rotation.
The coach was careful not to further reduce the morale of his players after their collapse at Sevilla.
“It’s one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going on,” said the coach, praising his team’s second half display after an especially poor first period.
It was Barcelona’s first defeat of the season, leaving them two points behind leaders Real Madrid, but not their first bad performance.
Barca drew 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano in August, after which Flick blasted the team and suggested they had got too big for their boots after winning a domestic treble last season.
“Ego kills success,” warned the German coach, hoping to refocus his players’ minds.
Barcelona’s Polish forward #09 Robert Lewandowski celebrates with Barcelona’s Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal (L) scoring his team’s second goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
It seemed to work as even without teenage star Yamal, they secured several wins, but then after he got hurt again against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, came their heavy defeat at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
Barca started last season superbly but then collapsed in November and December, allowing Atletico Madrid to overtake them at the top of the table.
Flick will be keen for his team to avoid a similar backslide this season, and hosting Girona, 18th in a derby, is a good opportunity for his team to get back to winning ways.
The game will take place at the Olympic stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill, with Barca’s rebuilt Camp Nou home not yet ready to open amid a series of delays.
“I’m really looking forward to going back to Camp Nou, with all our fans,” said midfielder Frenkie de Jong, after renewing his contract until 2029 on Wednesday.
“I don’t know the date, but we can’t wait.”
Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday, hoping in-form striker Kylian Mbappe has recovered from an ankle problem.
Villarreal, third, host Real Betis while Atletico Madrid welcome Osasuna.
Player to watch: Luis Milla
Getafe midfielder Milla has been his team’s key weapon this season, providing five assists — no player in the top flight has more. The Madrid minnows host rivals Los Blancos in a derby clash and if they are to take anything from the game Milla will likely have to play an important role.
Key stats
4 – Liga matches Barca have conceded first in
7 – matches unbeaten for Atletico Madrid
28 – yellow cards for Sevilla, the most in the top flight
Fixtures
Friday (all times GMT)
Oviedo v Espanyol (1900)
Saturday
Sevilla v Mallorca (1200), Barcelona v Girona (1415), Villarreal v Real Betis (1630), Atletico Madrid v Osasuna (1900)
Sunday
Elche v Athletic Bilbao (1200), Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (1415), Levante v Rayo Vallecano (1630), Getafe v Real Madrid (1900)
