Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has set plans in motion for this year’s African Cadet Men’s Championship, tagged Zone III National Qualification, by opening a preparation camp for the country’s under-18 boys’ team, coached by Abdulhakim Yakubu, who called up 22 players.
Sports247 reports that the HFN confirmed that the camp has already opened in Abuja to commence preparation for the 22nd edition of the championship, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; where Nigeria is drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Madagascar.
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Press officer and vice-chairman of HFN’s media commission, Cosmos Chukwuemeka Akisi disclosed that the invited players are already going through intensive training sessions, as the coaches work to build a squad capable of making a strong impression at the continental championship.
Akisi added in a press release, “The Nigerian squad features players across seven positions. In the goalkeeping department are Shuaibu Friday Micheal, Shuaibu Muhammad and Lawal Muhammad.
“The centre backs are Aliyu Rufai, Sani Muntari, Friday Pagiel and Sulaimon Abayomi Fashogbon, while Godstime Michael, Usman Umar and Samuel Achama are listed as left backs. The right-backs are Huzaifa Abdulkadir, Obieze Akunebu, Gana Abubakar Tauhidi and Muhammed Yahaya.
“On the left wing are Chikelu Chidiebere Divine, Hamza Yahaya, Aminu Dahiru and Abdulrahman Sani, as Umar Mohammed, Abdullahi Abubakar and Zulkifilu Muhammed will operate from the right wing, while the two pivots in the squad are Akibu Muhammad and Dominion Abukhate.
“Coach Yakubu is assisted by Ayo Joshua, with the technical crew using the ongoing camping programme to work on the players’ fitness, technical abilities, tactical understanding and team cohesion.
“Nigeria faces a challenging group-stage campaign against Tunisia, Algeria and Madagascar, with the young team expected to draw on its preparations in Abuja, as it seeks to make a strong showing in Abidjan.”
Sports247 gathered further that the championship, which is organised by Confédération Africaine de Handball (CAHB), will bring together some of the continent’s best young talents and provide a platform for further development of the next generation of players across the continent.
ALL PLAYERS IN CAMP:
Goalkeepers –
1. Shuaibu Friday Micheal
2. Shuaibu Muhammad
3. Lawal Muhammad
Centre Backs –
4. Aliyu Rufai
5. Sani Muntari
6. Friday Pagiel
7. Sulaimon Abayomi Fashogbon
Left Backs –
8. Godstime Micheal
9. Usman Umar
10. Samuel Achama
Right Backs –
11. Huzaifa abdulkadir
12. Obieze Akunebu
13. Gana abubakar Tauhidi
14. Muhammed Yahaya
Left Wing –
15. Chikelu Chidiebere Divine
16. Hamza Yahaya
17. Aminu Dahiru
18. Abdulrahman Sani
Right Wing –
19. Umar Mohammed
20. Abdullahi Abubakar
21. Zulkifilu Muhammed
Pivot –
22. Akibu Muhammad
23. Dominion Abukhate
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