Nigeria U-18, U-20 Men’s Handball Teams Arrive Togo, Set for IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Showdown

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Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 men’s national handball teams have arrived in Lomé ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Tournament, scheduled to take place from April 7 to 11.

The teams landed in high spirits following weeks of intensive camping, where both squads worked on tactics, fitness, and team cohesion in preparation for the regional championship.

Organised by the International Handball Federation (IHF), the competition serves as a key developmental platform, with the winners of both the Youth (U-18) and Junior (U-20) categories earning the right to represent Zone 3 at the continental phase.

Following the official draw, Nigeria’s U-18 team has been placed in Group B alongside Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Group A comprises Ghana, Togo, and Cote d’Ivoire

In the Junior (U-20) category, Nigeria is also drawn in Group B, where they will face Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Group A features Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Niger.

For the U-18 team, the final 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. The team is guided by officials Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua.

Meanwhile, the U-20 team boasts a strong lineup featuring Attahiru Ab Sahabi (Sokoto Rima), Obabori Samuel Aduralere (Adjidja HB Cotonou), Ganiu Aduragbemi Emmanuel (Tojemarine HB), Kareem Faruk Olamilekan (Tojemarine HB), Akanni Basit (Lagos Seasiders), Mohammed Musa (Safety Shooters), Jackson Nelson (Adamawa Warriors), Chuks Moses Egwuelu (Safety Shooters) and Okolie Olisaemeka Andrew (Tojemarine).

Others are ; Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto Rima), Abaaka Simon (Safety Shooters), Suleiman Sani (Flowers HB Cotonou), Mustapha Mohammed (Sokoto Rima), and Isyaka Mustapha (Flowers HB Cotonou).

The team is led by Head Coach David Emmanuel and Assistant Coach Cole Olatunde.

With the group stage now confirmed and the teams already on ground in Lomé, attention turns to the opening matches as Nigeria aims to dominate their groups and progress deep into the tournament.

The IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 continues to provide a vital pathway for young African talents, and for Nigeria, the objective is to secure qualification and represent the zone at the continental stage.

Final list of U-18 IHF trophy

1.Friday Shuaibu

2.Shaibu Mohammed

3.Aliyu Rufai

4.Sani Muntari

5.Usman Umar

6.Godstime Michael

7.Huzaifa Abdulkadir

8.Chidebere Davine

9.Hamza Yahaya

10.Mohammed Yahaya

11.Umar Mohammed