Nigeria’s Under-20 Men’s Handball team has unveiled its final 16-man squad for the 33rd African Men’s Junior Nations Championship, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from September 5 to 12, 2026.
Head coach Emmanuel David selected the squad following an intensive period of preparation at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside two-time champions Algeria, Angola and Madagascar, setting up a demanding group-stage campaign for the young Nigerian side.
The final squad features four goalkeepers: Attahiru Ab Sahabi, Obabori Samuel, Iorngohol Amos and Ganiu Aduragbemi.
The outfield players selected are Isyaka Mustapha, Kareem Faruk, Akanni Olayinka, Musa Mohammed, Jackson Nelson, Sani Suleiman, Chuks Moses Egwuelu, Yusuf Suleiman, Abaaka Simon, Igwele Emmanuel, Saka Muktar and Oladeinde Oluwasegun.
Coach David Emmanuel will be assisted by Cole Olatunde as Nigeria targets a strong showing in Côte d’Ivoire.
The championship represents another opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its reputation in African junior handball. The country has previously won the competition once, lifting the title in 1980 when Lagos hosted the championship.
Nigeria have also reached the podium on three other occasions. The team finished runners-up in Bauchi in 1984, before securing bronze medals in Cotonou and Marrakech, Morocco, in 2018.
With a mixture of emerging talents and a technical team⅚ focused on development, Nigeria will be hoping to build on its historical performances and mount a serious challenge for the title.
Nigeria U-20 Men’s Handball Final Squad
Goalkeepers
1. Attahiru Ab Sahabi
2. Obabori Samuel
3. Iorngohol Amos
4. Ganiu Aduragbemi
Outfield Players
5. Isyaka Mustapha
6. Kareem Faruk
7. Akanni Olayinka
8. Musa Mohammed
9. Jackson Nelson
10. Sani Suleiman
11. Chuks Moses Egwuelu
12. Yusuf Suleiman
13. Abaaka Simon
14. Igwele Emmanuel
15. Saka Muktar
16. Oladeinde Oluwasegun
Officials
Coach David Emmanuel
Coach Cole Olatunde
The young Nigerians will now continue their preparations before travelling to Abidjan, where they will begin their campaign against strong opposition in Group B.
