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Nigeria Name 16-Player Squad for Inaugural Women’s Nations Trophy

Posted : 31 August 2026

Nigeria have announced a 16-player squad for the inaugural IHF Women’s Nations Trophy Africa Zone III in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The tournament will run from September 2 to 6, with Nigeria drawn alongside hosts Burkina Faso and Ghana in Group A.

Head coach Michael Taangahar has retained a group that has spent several weeks preparing at the Indoor Sports Hall of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. He will be assisted by Innocent Chukwuma Nwankwo as Nigeria prepare for their first appearance in the new senior-level competition.

The squad includes Bisi Oyewusi, Esther Matthew, Chinemerem Ahamefula, Sunday Hope, Rachael Ovetuo and Daina Saaloo. Mercy Audu, Enifome Emuore, Queen Modebe, Toyin Yusuf, Taiwo Babatunde and Chidera Ogbusimba are also part of the travelling group.

The remaining players are Sadiya Musa, Wuraola Nuhu, Lucy Onyekwere and Bilkisu Muhammad. The 16 players were selected after the coaching staff assessed the team during its preparations in Abuja.

Nigeria will open their campaign against Ghana on September 3. They will then face hosts Burkina Faso on September 4 in their second group match. The top two teams from Group A will advance to the semi-finals alongside the leading teams from Group B.

The Zone III tournament brings together seven teams: Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Togo. Group B features Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo and Liberia.

The competition is part of the IHF’s new senior Nations Trophy pathway. The inaugural editions are being staged across Africa, South America and Oceania as the international federation expands the competition beyond its youth and junior structures.

Nigeria are expected to travel to Benin Republic for friendly matches before continuing to Burkina Faso. The games are intended to provide additional match practice before the competitive campaign begins in Ouagadougou.

The tournament will be played at the Palais des Sports de Ouaga 2000. The winner of each African Nations Trophy zone will earn a place at the CAHB African Women’s Championship, giving Nigeria an important route towards the continent’s established senior championship.

 

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