Nigeria National Teams Begin Abuja Camp Ahead Of African Championships

Nigeria National Teams Begin Abuja Camp Ahead Of African Championships

By BSN Sports 

Nigeria’s Senior Women’s and Under-20 Men’s handball teams have commenced camping in Abuja as they step up preparations for two major continental championships scheduled for September 2026, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

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

Head Coach Mike Taangahar, assisted by Innocent Chukwuma Nwankwo, is overseeing the team’s preparations, with physiotherapist Grace Sha responsible for the players’ medical needs.

A 20-player squad has been invited to camp, comprising 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.

Meanwhile, the National Under-20 Men’s team is also in Abuja for its final preparations for the 33rd African Men's Junior Nations Championship, which will be held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from September 5 to 12.

Nigeria have a proud history in the competition, having won the title once when they 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 third in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and Marrakech, Morocco, in 1984 and 2018 respectively.

The U-20 team’s training programme is being coordinated by Head Coach Emmanuel David and Assistant Coach Tunde Cole, with 17 players currently undergoing intensive sessions in Abuja.

The players in camp are Obabiri Samuel Aduralere, 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.

Both teams are expected to undergo intensive technical, tactical and physical sessions throughout the camping period as the coaches fine-tune their squads ahead of their respective continental assignments.

The September championships will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to strengthen its presence on the African handball scene, with both national teams aiming for strong performances in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.