The head coach of Nigeria’s U-18 handball team, Emeka Nnamani, has unveiled the final roster of players selected to represent Nigeria at the IHF Trophy Africa men’s continental phase, set to take place from November 2 to November 6 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This announcement comes as part of the team’s preparations, which have included rigorous training sessions overseen by Nnamani and his assistant, Joshua Olubato. The training has taken place at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos, where the focus has been on developing the players’ skills and teamwork in anticipation of the upcoming tournament.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Abdulqadir Mohammed of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, will embark on their journey to Ethiopia from Lagos’ Muritala Muhammed International Airport on Friday morning. The final squad is highlighted by key players like captain Faruk Kareem and MVP of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023, Azeez Olaitan, both from Tojemarine Academy. The lineup also features individuals from various clubs, such as Aliyu Rufai from Corrections Boys and Suliamon Sani from Niger United, assembling a diverse and talented group ready for international competition.
Nnamani expressed strong confidence in his players’ abilities to represent Nigeria well, echoing the success they achieved earlier this year at the zonal phase in Ghana. He emphasized that the players were chosen from a wide range of skilled handball athletes within the U-18 category, ensuring a robust team equipped to challenge for victory in Ethiopia. The coach’s optimism stems from their prior experience and preparation, which includes not just skill enhancement but also mental readiness for the competitive environment.
Historically, Nigeria’s U-18 handball team has a legacy of success, having recently defended their title in the previous continental phase held in Congo Brazzaville. Their performance also carried them to a commendable third-place finish in the intercontinental phase in Kosovo, showcasing their resilience and capability on global platforms. As the defending champions, the expectations are high for this upcoming tournament, where they aim to not only retain their title but also to pave their way to the IHF Trophy Intercontinental phase.
The U-18 Nigerian handball team earned their rightful place in the IHF Trophy Africa men’s continental phase by clinching victory in the Africa Zone 3 Phase earlier this year. Their decisive win against Ghana (33-25) positioned them as the champions of this qualification round, reinforcing their status as a formidable team in African handball. With a solid combination of seasoned leadership and enthusiastic young talent, the squad heads into the tournament with a wealth of motivation and ambition.
As they prepare to kick off their campaign against Zambia in Addis Ababa, all eyes will be on the young athletes as they aim to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot in the intercontinental phase. With the national pride at stake and a track record of success backing them, the team carries the hopes of their country as they embark on this crucial competition. The synergy of preparation, talent, and coaching expertise makes the Nigeria U-18 handball team a team to watch in the forthcoming IHF Trophy Africa men’s continental phase.
