The simmering rivalry of North African handball has ended in a decisive coronation. In a masterclass of tactical discipline and raw power, Egypt has annihilated Tunisia 37-24 to clinch their 10th African Men’s Handball Championship title, effectively rewriting the continent’s sporting history books in Kigali.

This victory is not merely a win; it is a statement of absolute hegemony. By securing their fourth consecutive continental trophy, the Pharaohs have drawn level with Tunisia as the most decorated nation in the tournament's history. The result leaves the rest of Africa—and particularly the sub-Saharan nations like Kenya—gazing across a widening chasm of quality, resources, and technical expertise that seems impossible to bridge.

A One-Sided War of Attrition

The final at the BK Arena was billed as a clash of titans, but it unfolded as a methodical dismantling. From the opening whistle, Egypt’s defensive wall was impenetrable, forcing Tunisia into errors that were punished with lethal efficiency on the counter-attack. The scoreline, 37-24, reflects a gulf in class that few pundits predicted would be this wide.

Star player Yahia Omar was the architect of Tunisia’s destruction, netting 10 goals with a surgical precision that left the Tunisian defense chasing shadows. Beside him, Ahmed Hesham orchestrated the play, dismantling the opposition’s structure piece by piece. "We didn’t just want to win; we wanted to leave no doubt," an Egyptian coaching staff member was overheard saying post-match. "This is the era of the Pharaohs."

• The Bronze Battle: While the giants clashed for gold, Cape Verde continued their impressive rise, silencing Algeria 29-23 to take the bronze medal. Their ascent signals a shifting order in the second tier of African handball.
• Kenya’s Reality Check: The celebration in Cairo contrasts sharply with the gloom in Nairobi. The Kenyan team finished a dismal 15th—second from last—narrowly edging out Uganda. The result exposes a systemic neglect of the sport in East Africa, where talent exists but infrastructure and investment remain non-existent.

The Rwanda Legacy

Rwanda’s hosting of the 27th edition of the championship has been lauded as a triumph of organization, cementing Kigali’s reputation as Africa’s premier sporting hub. Yet, for the local fans, the tournament was a stark reminder of the work ahead. While Rwanda provides the stage, North Africa still writes the script.

As the Egyptian squad returns to Cairo with the trophy, the question for the rest of the continent is no longer how to beat them, but how to stop them from monopolizing the sport for another decade. For now, the Pharaohs sit alone on the throne, unbeaten, untroubled, and undeniably superior.