Handball: Luanda hosts its first African Club Championship, Kinshasa's JSK crushes Mekele 45-23

Angola is hosting the African Handball Club Championship for the first time. The 47th edition began on October 5, 2026, at the Kilamba Arena in Luanda, according to the Angolan agency ANGOP and the Beninese daily Matin Libre, for ten days of competition.

The men's tournament brings together twelve teams divided into four groups from eight countries: Angola, Cameroon, Benin, Rwanda, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and the DR Congo. The women's bracket features ten teams in two groups from six countries. Matches are being played at the Kilamba and Paulo Bunze sports arenas, reports ANGOP. Angola, which previously hosted two African Women's Championships in 2008 and 2016, is fielding six representatives this time, including Primeiro de Agosto, Interclube, and Petro de Luanda.

Kinshasa's JSK sets the tone

In the men's category, the Congolese club JSK made a strong statement. After beating Mechal 33-20 on the first day, the Kinshasa side crushed the other Ethiopian team, Mekele, with a score of 45-23, securing a spot in the second round, indicates Actualité.cd. A 22-goal margin: this demonstration puts JSK in a strong position before facing opponents of a different caliber, Zamalek and Primeiro de Agosto, who are considered the favorites of the event.

Al Ahly reaffirms its status as titleholder

The defending African champion, Al Ahly, did not falter in its opening Group A clash. The Egyptians dominated Interclube 38-24 on October 6, 2026, in Luanda, after leading 17-11 at halftime, according to ANGOP. Mohamed Emad was named player of the match.

The other Egyptian giant, Zamalek, also took down a local favorite by winning 33-26 against Primeiro de Agosto, according to the summary from Matin Libre. In the same bracket, Flowers of Benin beat Renaissance of Ivory Coast 28-20.

In the women's category, Petro and Al Ahly impress

Petro Atlético de Luanda, the defending women's champion, launched its campaign with a 37-20 success against Flowers of Benin. Al Ahly dominated Mazembe 38-17 and Primeiro de Agosto beat Abidjan HC 34-14. The only poor performance by an Angolan team that day: Casa do Pessoal do Porto do Lobito fell 26-24 to the Congolese club Héritage, according to Matin Libre.

For Lobito, as for the Petro de Luanda men's team, this is a first appearance at this level. Beyond the trophies, ANGOP highlights the expected benefits for the Angolan hotel, restaurant, transport, and tourism sectors. The group winners will advance to the second round in the coming days.