The Handball Federation of Nigeria has invited twenty-five players to camp as the men’s national handball team gear up preparations for next year’s Africa Senior Men’s Handball Nations Cup in Tunisia.
A statement by HFN Secretary-General Maigidasanma Mohammed said the listed players will commence camping ahead of Africa’s biggest handball championship in Lagos from December 1, 2019.
The 25-man list features seven foreign-based professionals with the bulk of the squad composed of domestic players plying their trade for Prudent Energy Handball Premier League teams.
Nigeria’s team to Tunisia will be led by Salami Rafiu of Issy Handball club, France, with Solomon Yola Martins of Kano Pillars and Segun Tunji of Niger United as his assistants.
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The coaching staff will get technical support from Yerima Sylla who has been seconded by the International Handball Federation (IHF) to Nigeria to assist the HFN.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Gabon and Libya at the Africa Senior Handball Nations Cup which is scheduled for 15 to 25 January 2020 in Tunisia.
The competition will also serve as qualifying tournament for the 2021 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship in Egypt.
The Nigeria handball team will be making a twelfth appearance at the biennial championship which is in its 24th edition and will hope to surpass their highest ever finish of 4th place recorded at the 1998 edition in South Africa.
Hosts Tunisia are defending champions having won the 2018 edition in Gabon where Nigeria placed tenth.
25 Players For 2020 Africa Senior Handball Nations Cup
Goalkeepers: Adamolugbe Oladunjoye (Qatar); Solomon Michael (Kano Pillars); Mohammed Abbas (Niger United); Okwor Obinna (Confluence Stars)
Centre Backs: Atabo Abubakar (Safety Shooters); Aliyu Aminu (Niger United); Adigwe Emeka (Kano Pillars); Obinna Patrick (Israel); Mudashiru Abdulmajeed (De Defenders)
Left Backs: Kalu Philip (Israel); Yaya Owolabi (Lagos Seasiders); Okubuike Kingsley (Kano Pillars)
Right Back: Ani Obinna (Israel); Rotibi Gbenga (Saudi Arabia); Atabo Abdullahi (Safety Shooters)
Right Wingers: Cole Gbenga (Morocco); Osamwonyi Olaye (Kano Pillars); Yusuf Faruk (Macedonia)
Pivot: Owolabi Adio (Lagos Seasiders); Emeana Emmanuel (Safety Shooters); Umahi Chinyere (De Defenders)
Left Wingers: Anas Mohammed (Niger United); Ibitoye Ayomide (Lagos Seasiders); Adamu Chris (Kano Pillars); Ojo Andrew (Kano Pillars)
Technical Staff
Salami Sulu Rafiu – Issy Handball Club, Masculin, France.
Solomon Yola Martins – Kano Pillars HB Club, Nigeria.
Segun Tunji – Niger United HB Club, Minna.
Yerimme Sylla – IHF Appointed Technical Adviser for Nigeria
