AS Otoho edge FAP in thriller as JSK light up home derby at African handball event

AS Otoho snatched a dramatic lastgasp victory over Cameroons FAP in a fiercely defensive contest, on a day when Congolese side JSK also lit up a packed home arena with a crushing derby win in the mens competition.

The third day of action at the continental handball tournament produced tension, upsets and vindication of pretournament expectations, with the womens matches offering late drama and the mens clashes underlining a clear pecking order.

In the womens competition, CongoBrazzaville club AS Otoho edged FAP 2423 in a match that remained on a knifeedge until the final seconds. In the other Group A fixture, Angolan heavyweights Petro Atletico justified their status as favourites by overpowering hosts Heritage of Kinshasa, despite spirited resistance from the Congolese side.

Among the men, Moroccan outfit Montada laid down a marker with a commanding win against Etoile du Congo, before the evening reached its climax with an allDR Congo derby. Backed by a fervent Kinshasa crowd, JSK dismantled Scorpion with a widening margin that underlined their ambitions in the tournament.

Womens tournament: late drama and Angolan authority —

The standout story in the womens draw came from AS Otohos narrow escape against FAP in Group A. In a game dominated by tight defences and cautious attacking play, the Congolese club managed to arracher une victoire au bout du suspense wrest a victory at the very end to win 2423.

Both sides struggled to create clear chances, and each goal came at a premium. FAP, representing Cameroon, looked set to capitalise on their defensive organisation, but Otoho kept their nerve in the closing moments to overturn the balance and secure a crucial groupstage success.

Earlier, Petro Atletico of Angola imposed their pedigree against Kinshasa club Heritage, winning 3423 in the same group. The Angolan champions ont fait respecter leur rang made their status count as they steadily pulled away on the scoreboard.

Heritage, boosted by home support, offered une belle resistance locale, challenging Petro through phases of the match and refusing to capitulate despite the growing deficit. In the end, Petros deeper squad and experience at this level proved decisive as they opened up an 11goal winning margin.

Mens competition: hierarchy takes shape –

In the mens event, the days fixtures helped clarify the balance of power in the early stages of the tournament.

In Group A, Montada of Morocco produced a performance solide to defeat Etoile du Congo 3021. The North Africans controlled proceedings, building a lead and managing the tempo as Etoile struggled to break through a disciplined defensive block.

The most anticipated encounter, however, came later with a 100% DR Congo derby between JSK and Scorpion in Group B. Billed as the emotional highlight of the evening, it did not disappoint for the majority of fans in the Kinshasa stands.

JSK na laisse aucune chance a Scorpion gave Scorpion no chance as they surged to a 3315 victory. Roared on sous les acclamations du public kinois, JSK quickly seized control and never looked threatened, stretching the gap to an emphatic 18 goals by the final whistle.

The result sends a strong signal to JSKs rivals and energises the home support, while Scorpion are left needing a swift response to keep their hopes alive in Group B.

Day 3: full results –

Womens competition Group A – FAP (Cameroon) 2324 AS Otoho (CongoBrazzaville) – Heritage (DR Congo) 2334 Petro Atletico (Angola)

Mens competition – Group A: Etoile du Congo 2130 Montada (Morocco) – Group B: Scorpion (DR Congo) 1533 JSK (DR Congo)