IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Showdown: Nigerian Teams Arrive in Lomé

Posted : 07 April 2026

Nigeria’s Under-18 and Under-20 men’s national handball teams have arrived in Lomé ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Tournament, scheduled to take place from April 7 to 11.

The teams landed in high spirits following weeks of intensive camping, where both squads worked on tactics, fitness, and team cohesion in preparation for the regional championship.

Organised by the International Handball Federation (IHF), the competition serves as a key developmental platform, with the winners of both the Youth (Under-18) and Junior (Under-20) categories earning the right to represent Zone 3 at the continental phase.

Following the official draw, Nigeria’s Under-18 team has been placed in Group B alongside Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Group A comprises Ghana, Togo, and Ivory Coast.

In the Junior (Under-20) category, Nigeria is also drawn in Group B, where they will face Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Group A features Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Niger.

For the Under-18 team, the final squad includes 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 is guided by officials Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua.

Meanwhile, the Under-20 team boasts a strong lineup featuring 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 team is led by Head Coach David Emmanuel and Assistant Coach Cole Olatunde.

With the group stage now confirmed and the teams already on ground in Lomé, attention turns to the opening matches as Nigeria aims to dominate their groups and progress deep into the tournament.

The IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 continues to provide a vital pathway for young African talents, and for Nigeria, the objective is to secure qualification and represent the zone at the continental stage.

Final list of Under-18 IHF trophy:

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
Obeze Akunebu

Officials:

Abdulhakim Yakubu
Ayo Joshua

National U-20 players in camp:

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
Isyaka Mustapha - Flowers HB Cotonou

Officials:

David Emmanuel - Head Coach
Cole Olatunde - Assistant Coach

The arrival of both squads in Togo marks the beginning of a crucial campaign for Nigerian handball on the international stage. With a blend of tactical preparation and talented rosters, both the Under-18 and Under-20 teams are positioned to challenge for the top spots. Success in Lomé will not only bring regional glory but also secure the essential pathway to the continental championships.

IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Showdown: Nigerian Teams Arrive in Lomé

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