Nigeria Targets Continental Glory as Women, U-20 Men Begin Handball Camp

Posted : 09 August 2026

Nigeria’s national handball teams have stepped up preparations for two major continental assignments in September, with the Senior Women’s and Under-20 Men’s teams commencing camping in Abuja.

The Senior Women’s team is preparing for the inaugural IHF Women’s Nations Trophy Africa Zone III Championship, scheduled for Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from September 2 to 6.

Head Coach Mike Taangahar, assisted by Innocent Chukwuma Nwankwo, is leading a 20-player squad through the camping programme, with physiotherapist Grace Sha attending to the team’s medical needs.

The players are expected to undergo intensive technical, tactical and physical sessions as the coaching crew works to build a competitive squad ahead of the championship.

The Under-20 Men’s team is also in camp in Abuja as preparations gather momentum for the 33rd African Men’s Junior Nations Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from September 5 to 12.

Head Coach Emmanuel David and his assistant, Tunde Cole, are overseeing a 17-player squad during the training programme.

Nigeria will be looking to draw inspiration from its rich history in the junior continental competition, having won the title once when it hosted the championship in Lagos in 1980.

The country has also reached the podium on three other occasions, finishing second in Bauchi in 1984 and claiming bronze in Cotonou, Benin Republic, in 1984, and Marrakech, Morocco, in 2018.

The latest generation of players will therefore have the opportunity to build on that history when they travel to Côte d’Ivoire for this year’s edition.

Among those in the U-20 camp are goalkeeper Samuel Aduralere Obabiri, Iorngohol Amos, Ganiu Aduragbemi Emmanuel, Kazeem Faruk Olamilekan, Akanni Olayinka, Fashogbon Duleimom, Mohammed Musa, Jackson Nelson, Abode O. Temitope, Ibrahim Hayayu, Okolie Olisaemeka Andrew, Abaaka Simon, Mustapha Muhammed, Egwele Emmanuel, Oladeinde Oluwasegun, Yusuf Suleiman and Chuks Moses.

The Senior Women’s squad comprises Saaloo Daina, Haruna Kirnan Sunday, Chinemerem Grace Ahemefula, Aruwa Inikpi, Mohammed Balkisu, Queen Modebe, Johnson Winner, Mercy Audu, Ogbusimba Chidera, Oparoago Victoria Amarachi, Abubakar Sadiya, Amina Mohammed, Cynthia Terfa Doom, Helen Ogusakin, Esther Matthew, Taiye Babatunde, Plangnan Dakop, Ngaodurubie Chetachi Angela, Ada Okey and Emoure Enifome.

Both teams will use the Abuja camping exercise to sharpen their tactical approach, improve physical fitness and develop cohesion before departing for their respective competitions.

For the Senior Women’s side, the focus will be on making an impact in the maiden IHF Women’s Nations Trophy Africa Zone III Championship, while the U-20 men will be hoping to revive Nigeria’s proud tradition in the African junior championship.

With both competitions scheduled for September, the coming weeks will be crucial as Nigeria seeks to produce well-prepared teams capable of competing strongly for continental honours.

The Abuja camping exercise will provide both squads with an important opportunity to fine-tune their preparations, build team chemistry and enter their respective continental competitions with confidence.

Nigeria Targets Continental Glory as Women, U-20 Men Begin Handball Camp

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