Photo Credit: Handball Federation of Nigeria / Sports247 Nigeria / Punch Newspapers
U-20 Handball: Nigeria Begin African Title Quest Against Algeria
ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire — Nigeria’s U-20 men’s handball team will begin its campaign at the 33rd African Men’s Junior Nations Championship with a tough opening encounter against two-time champions Algeria.

The championship is scheduled to hold from September 5 to 12, 2026 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and serves as both a continental title decider and a qualifier for the world stage.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside Algeria, Angola and Madagascar, setting up a demanding group-stage campaign for the young side.

The team, coached by Emmanuel David with assistant Cole Olatunde, unveiled a final 16-man squad after intensive preparations at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The squad includes four goalkeepers — Attahiru Ab Sahabi, Obabori Samuel, Iorngohol Amos and Ganiu Aduragbemi — and 12 outfield players: 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.

The encounter with Algeria is seen as a crucial test for Nigeria. Algeria is traditionally one of the strongest handball nations on the continent, making a positive start vital for momentum.

Nigeria enters the tournament looking to add to its rich history at this level. The country won the competition once when Lagos hosted in 1980, finished runners-up in Bauchi in 1984, and won bronze medals in Cotonou and Marrakech in 2018.

Beyond the title, the championship is an important platform for developing the next generation of players and giving emerging talents international exposure against some of Africa’s best young teams.
Source: Punch Nigeria