Shittu Adewumi, coach of Tojermarine Academy, said he is not certain his team can defend the title they won in the 2024 Ardova Handball Premier league championship at the ongoing 2025 edition in Benin City.
Adewumi told the News Men on Thursday in Abuja that they have a new set of players in the team.
He said major players who had contributed to the success of the team left.
The majority of the players left for foreign clubs, and some to other local teams. Our main focus this season is to maintain a respectable position and plan for next season.
“Tojermarine cannot defend this year’s league title. We are title contenders, surely, but we are only trying to reduce pressure and expectations on our fans.
“We have the objective of finishing in the top four, and it’s achievable,” he said.
News Men reports that defending champions defeated Osun United 25-19 in their opening match and lost their second match, day two, to COAS 21-23.
They defeated Adamawa Warriors 29-27 on day three and beat Lagos Seasiders 29-24 on match day 4.
In their match against Safety Shooters, they lost 26-35 and fought back to defeat De Defenders of NSCDC 37-25 in their match on day 6. They also defeated the former defending champions, Niger United, 31-25 in match day 8.
NAN reports that Tojermarine Academy is currently second on the table with 20 points, while Rima Stickers of Sokoto is first with 22 points.
The 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League, which started on July 8 at the Indoor Sport Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo, is expected to end on July 20.