Egypt have etched their name deeper into African handball history after overpowering Tunisia 37–24 in the final of the African Handball Championship 2026, held at Kigali’s BK Arena. The emphatic victory delivered Egypt’s 10th continental crown, drawing them level with Tunisia at the summit of African handball’s all-time honours list.
From the opening exchanges, the final—widely billed as the “Clasico” of African handball—quickly tilted in Egypt’s favour. Coached by Xavi Pascual, the Pharaohs imposed a suffocating defensive structure and ruthless attacking tempo that left Tunisia’s Eagles of Carthage struggling to find rhythm. By half-time, Egypt had opened a commanding 17–10 lead, effectively settling the contest before the interval.
The second half was a continuation of Egypt’s dominance. Rotating seamlessly between fast breaks and structured positional play, Egypt stretched the margin relentlessly, closing out the match with a 13-goal advantage that underlined the growing gap between the continent’s benchmark side and their closest challengers.
Egypt’s march to the title in Rwanda was defined by near-total control throughout the tournament. In the group stage, the Pharaohs brushed aside Gabon, Angola and Uganda with minimal resistance. Their authority intensified in the main round, highlighted by a historic rout of Algeria before a measured victory over Nigeria to conserve energy for the knockout phase.
The semi-final against a spirited Cape Verde side followed a similar script. Led by talisman Yahia Omar, Egypt dictated the pace with calm assurance, never allowing the contest to slip from their grasp. The performance reinforced perceptions that Egypt is operating at a level increasingly distant from the rest of the continent.
Beyond the final, the tournament confirmed shifting dynamics elsewhere in African handball. Cape Verde secured the bronze medal by defeating Algeria national handball team 29–23, consolidating their emergence as a rising force. Algeria, meanwhile, finished fourth for the second consecutive edition. In the President’s Cup, Gabon national handball team edged Cameroon national handball team 29–27 to claim ninth place overall.
For Egypt, the Kigali triumph is more than another trophy—it is a statement of sustained supremacy. With ten continental titles now secured, the Pharaohs have reaffirmed their status as Africa’s gold standard in men’s handball, setting a formidable benchmark for the years ahead.
