Nigeria’s Under-18 and Under-20 men’s handball teams have intensified preparations ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Tournament in Lomé, Togo, with both squads now fully unveiled for the regional showdown.
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The Under-18 team features a promising group of young talents, including Friday Shuaibu, Shaibu Mohammed, Aliyu Rufai, Sani Muntari, Usman Umar, Godstime Michael, Huzaifa Abdulkadir, Chidebere Davine, Hamza Yahaya, Mohammed Yahaya, Umar Mohammed, Abubakar Abdullahi, Akibu Mohammed, and Obeze Akunebu.
The team will be guided by officials Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua, who are tasked with shaping the squad into a competitive unit capable of challenging for top honours.
In the Junior category, Nigeria’s Under-20 team boasts a strong and diverse lineup drawn from both domestic and regional clubs.
The squad includes Attahiru Ab Sahabi (Sokoto Rima), Obabori Samuel Aduralere (Adjidja HB Cotonou), Ganiu Aduragbemi Emmanuel (Tojemarine HB), Kareem Faruk Olamilekan (Tojemarine HB), Akanni Basit (Lagos Seasiders), Mohammed Musa (Safety Shooters), Jackson Nelson (Adamawa Warriors), Chuks Moses Egwuelu (Safety Shooters), Okolie Olisaemeka Andrew (Tojemarine), Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto Rima), Abaaka Simon (Safety Shooters), Suleiman Sani (Flowers HB Cotonou), Mustapha Mohammed (Sokoto Rima), and Isyaka Mustapha (Flowers HB Cotonou).
The U-20 side will be led by Head Coach David Emmanuel, alongside Assistant Coach Cole Olatunde, both of whom bring valuable experience into the tournament as Nigeria aims for a deep run.
With the group stage fixtures already confirmed and the teams settled in Lomé, focus now shifts to the opening matches.
Nigeria will be aiming to assert dominance early, build momentum, and secure qualification for the next phase.
The International Handball Federation tournament remains a crucial pathway for nurturing emerging talents across the continent.
For Nigeria, the objective is clear—excel at the Zone 3 level and earn the right to compete on the continental stage, further strengthening the nation’s growing presence in international handball.
