Nigeria handball teams open Abuja camp ahead of African Championships
Nigeria’s Senior Women’s Handball Team and the National Under-20 Men’s Handball Team have commenced camping in Abuja as they intensify preparations for major continental championships scheduled for September 2026.
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, 2026.
Head Coach Mike Taangahar, assisted by Innocent Chukwuma Nwankwo, is leading the team’s preparations, while Grace Sha serves as physiotherapist. A 20-player squad has been invited to camp ahead of the competition.
The players in camp are 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 Handball Team has also opened camp in Abuja ahead of the 33rd African Men’s Junior Nations Championship, which will be held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from September 5 to 12, 2026.
Nigeria has won the junior championship once, claiming the title when the country hosted the tournament in Lagos in 1980. The team has also recorded three podium finishes, including a second-place finish in Bauchi in 1984 and third-place finishes in Cotonou, Benin Republic, in 1984 and Marrakech, Morocco, in 2018.
Head Coach Emmanuel David and Assistant Coach Tunde Cole are overseeing the team’s preparations, with 17 players currently undergoing intensive training in Abuja.
The U-20 squad comprises 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 rigorous technical, tactical and physical sessions throughout the camping exercise as they fine-tune their preparations for their respective continental assignments.
The two national sides will be hoping to produce strong performances in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire and further strengthen Nigeria’s standing in African handball.
Senior Women’s Team Officials
Mike Taangahar — Head Coach
Innocent Chukwuma Nwankwo — Assistant Head Coach
Grace Sha — Physiotherapist
U-20 Men’s Team Officials
Emmanuel David — Head Coach
Tunde Cole — Assistant Head Coach
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