Nigeria’s U-18 women’s handball team has opened camp in Lagos as preparations intensify for the 2025 African Women’s Youth Handball Championship, scheduled to take place later this month in Oran, Algeria.

Nineteen players have been invited to the national camp, with training sessions already underway at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.

Among the notable invitees are Soof Handball Club duo Ngozi Korie and Taiwo Islamiyat, as well as Oluwalade Phebe (Ekiti Queens), Esther Peter (Rima Queens), Duru Success (Edo Dynamos), and Audu Salamatu (FUNAD Academy).

Also called up are Omole Shola, Aisha Jamilu, Sarah Peter, Okonkwo Sharon, Mohammed Balikiss, Ngaodurubie Chetachi, Momodu Joy Veronica, Ojie Princess, Desola Wasiu, Adebayo Aliyat, Terfa Cynthia, Igbinedion Blessing, and Balogun Faizat.

Nigeria will compete in Group A alongside Angola, Tunisia, Kenya, Benin Republic, and Madagascar. Group B features hosts Algeria, defending champions Egypt, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Zambia.

The tournament, slated for September 14 to 21, will not only decide the continental champions but also serve as qualifiers for the 2026 Women’s Youth World Handball Championship and the IHF Women’s Intercontinental Phase.

At the last edition in Monastir, Tunisia (2023), Nigeria clinched bronze after a thrilling 28–24 victory over three-time champions Angola, a historic feat that secured their maiden qualification for the World Championship.