Nigeria’s Under-20 Men’s Handball team Head Coach, Coach Emmanuel David, has released the final list of 16 players who will represent the country at the 33rd African Men’s Junior Nations Championship scheduled to hold in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from September 5 to 12, 2026.
The team who are drawn in Group B alongside two times champion Algeria, Angola and Madagascar, have been intensifying preparations at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, ahead of the continental championship.
The final 16-man squad comprises goalkeepers Attahiru Ab Sahabi, Obabori Samuel, Iorngohol Amos and Ganiu Aduragbemi, while 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 complete the squad. Coach David Emmanuel will be assisted by Cole Olatunde.
Nigeria will be seeking to improve on its previous performances at the championship, having won the competition once when it hosted the tournament in Lagos in 1980.
The country has also finished on the podium on three occasions, including a second-place finish in Bauchi in 1984 and third-place finishes in Cotonou and Marrakech, Morocco, in 2018.
NATIONAL U20 (16) MAN LIST
GK
- Attahiru Ab Sahabi
- Obabori Samuel
- Iorngohol Amos
- Ganiu Aduragbemi
- Isyaka Mustapha
- Kareem Faruk
- Akanni Olayinka
- Musa Mohammed
- Jackson Nelson
- Sani Suleiman
- Chuks Moses Egwuelu
- Yusuf Suleiman
- Abaaka Simon
- Igwele Emmanuel
- Saka Muktar
- Oladeinde Oluwasegun
Official
- Coach Emmanuel Okocha David
- Coach Cole Tunde
Before establishing his independent media outfit, Isaac built a solid reputation as a prolific digital content creator and sports writer. He previously served as a verified contributing author for prominent news aggregators and sports publications, including **Opera News**, **Scooper News**, and **Futball Naija**. Through these platforms, he honed his expertise in analyzing sports trends, breaking football news, and engaging millions of digital readers across Nigeria.
Combining his editorial background with technical expertise, Isaac is also an accomplished website builder, designing and managing digital infrastructures that optimize user experience and content delivery.
Known widely and highly influential across social media platforms—particularly on Facebook under his brand name **Isaac Zaza**—he leverages his vibrant online presence to connect fans with the latest happening in the sporting world. As a media professional, Isaac continues to drive innovation at the intersection of sports journalism and digital technology.
- HFN President Felicitates Ardova Chairman Sowami on Birthday - August 31, 2026
- HFN President Jibril Saidu Ojih Applauds Ardova PLC for Extending Handball Premier League Sponsorship - August 31, 2026
- “We Needed That Win to Stay in the Fight”: Fizdale Declares D’Tigers ‘Within Striking Distance’ After 100-84 Demolition of Cape Verde - August 31, 2026
