Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 men’s teams have arrived in Lomé ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3, aiming to secure continental qualification.
The tournament, organised by the International Handball Federation, runs from Monday to Saturday and serves as a key platform for developing young handball talents across the region.
Both Nigerian teams arrived in high spirits following weeks of intensive training focused on tactics, fitness, and team cohesion.
The competition is significant, as winners in both the U-18 and U-20 categories will qualify for the continental stage and represent Zone 3.
Nigeria is aiming to make a strong impression in both divisions.
Group stage draws
In the U-18 category, Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Group A consists of Ghana, Togo, and the Ivory Coast.
In the U-20 category, Nigeria is also in Group B, where they will face the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, while Group A features Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Niger.
Team composition
The U-18 squad includes players such as Friday Shuaibu, Shaibu Mohammed, Aliyu Rufai, Sani Muntari, Usman Umar, and Godstime Michael, among others, under the guidance of coaches Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua.
Meanwhile, the U-20 team is led by Head Coach David Emmanuel and Assistant Coach Cole Olatunde, with players drawn from clubs within Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Officials say the teams are well-prepared after rigorous training camps designed to enhance performance and competitiveness ahead of the tournament.
The players are expected to showcase discipline, teamwork, and technical ability as they compete against top regional opponents.
Nigeria’s performance in the tournament will be critical in determining its representation at the continental level and in providing a platform to strengthen its youth handball development programme.
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