Nigeria’s U-18, U-20 teams arrive Togo for zonal IHF champs

Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 men’s handball teams have arrived in Lomé ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 tournament, as both sides prepare to compete for continental qualification.

The competition, organised by the International Handball Federation, begins today till Saturday and serves as a key development platform for emerging talents across the region.

Both Nigerian teams touched down in high spirits following weeks of intensive training camp, where emphasis was placed on tactics, fitness and team cohesion in preparation for the championship.

The stakes remain high, with the winners of both the U-18 and U-20 categories set to qualify for the continental phase, representing Zone 3 on a larger stage.

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Following the official draw, Nigeria’s U-18 side has been placed in Group B alongside Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, while Group A features Ghana, Togo and Ivory Coast.

In the U-20 category, Nigeria will also compete in Group B, where they face Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with Group A comprising Ghana, Benin, Togo and Niger.

The U-18 squad includes Friday Shuaibu, Shaibu Mohammed, Aliyu Rufai, Sani Muntari, Usman Umar, Godstime Michael, Huzaifa Abdulkadir, Chidebere Davine, Hamza Yahaya, Mohammed Yahaya, Umar Mohammed, Abubakar Abdullahi, Akibu Mohammed and Obeze Akunebu, under the guidance of Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua.

Meanwhile, the U-20 team is led by Head Coach David Emmanuel and Assistant Coach Cole Olatunde, with a roster featuring players drawn from clubs across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 continues to provide a vital pathway for young players, and Nigeria will be aiming to assert dominance in both categories as they seek qualification for the continental stage.