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All Set: Nigeria Announces U-18 & U-20 Handball Squads for Lomé Clash

Published

6 months ago

April 7, 2026

Nigeria’s Under-18 and Under-20 men’s handball teams have intensified preparations ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Tournament in Lomé, Togo, with both squads now fully unveiled for the regional showdown.

The Under-18 team features a promising group of young talents, including Friday Shuaibu, Shaibu Mohammed, Aliyu Rufai, Sani Muntari, Usman Umar, Godstime Michael, Huzaifa Abdulkadir, Chidebere Davine, Hamza Yahaya, Mohammed Yahaya, Umar Mohammed, Abubakar Abdullahi, Akibu Mohammed, and Obeze Akunebu.

The team will be guided by officials Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua, who are tasked with shaping the squad into a competitive unit capable of challenging for top honours.

In the Junior category, Nigeria’s Under-20 team boasts a strong and diverse lineup drawn from both domestic and regional clubs.

The squad includes Attahiru Ab Sahabi (Sokoto Rima), Obabori Samuel Aduralere (Adjidja HB Cotonou), Ganiu Aduragbemi Emmanuel (Tojemarine HB), Kareem Faruk Olamilekan (Tojemarine HB), Akanni Basit (Lagos Seasiders), Mohammed Musa (Safety Shooters), Jackson Nelson (Adamawa Warriors), Chuks Moses Egwuelu (Safety Shooters), Okolie Olisaemeka Andrew (Tojemarine), Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto Rima), Abaaka Simon (Safety Shooters), Suleiman Sani (Flowers HB Cotonou), Mustapha Mohammed (Sokoto Rima), and Isyaka Mustapha (Flowers HB Cotonou).

The U-20 side will be led by Head Coach David Emmanuel, alongside Assistant Coach Cole Olatunde, both of whom bring valuable experience into the tournament as Nigeria aims for a deep run.

With the group stage fixtures already confirmed and the teams settled in Lomé, focus now shifts to the opening matches.

Nigeria will be aiming to assert dominance early, build momentum, and secure qualification for the next phase.

The International Handball Federation tournament remains a crucial pathway for nurturing emerging talents across the continent.

For Nigeria, the objective is clear—excel at the Zone 3 level and earn the right to compete on the continental stage, further strengthening the nation’s growing presence in international handball.

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The post All Set: Nigeria Announces U-18 & U-20 Handball Squads for Lomé Clash appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire

Published

16 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

Nigeria’s Flamingos maintained their perfect run at the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup with a commanding 2–0 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi gave Nigeria the perfect start when she struck in the fourth minute, putting the Flamingos in front at the Lycée Scientifique.

The early goal allowed Nigeria to settle into the contest as the Flamingos protected their advantage through the remainder of the first half.

Côte d’Ivoire pushed for a response after the restart, but Nigeria remained disciplined and continued to threaten on the counter.

The Flamingos eventually doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute, with Pattra Oparanmegwa finding the back of the net to put Nigeria firmly in control.

The victory extends Nigeria’s perfect record in the competition, with the Flamingos now having won all four of their matches.

Nigeria had earlier opened their campaign with a 5–0 victory over Niger Republic before defeating Ghana 4–2 and overcoming Burkina Faso 2–0.

Against Burkina Faso, Mary Dunstan broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute before Adegbuyi struck in stoppage time to seal the win.

The victory over Côte d’Ivoire therefore represents another impressive display from the Flamingos, who have continued to combine attacking quality with defensive discipline throughout the tournament.

The hosts entered Thursday’s encounter as Nigeria’s closest challengers in the standings, having collected six points from their opening three matches. Côte d’Ivoire had also demonstrated their attacking threat with a 9–0 victory over Niger Republic before facing the Flamingos.

Nigeria, however, maintained their superiority in the decisive encounter, with Adegbuyi’s early strike and Oparanmegwa’s second-half finish securing another three points.

The result takes the Flamingos to 12 points from four matches, strengthening their position at the top of the WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup standings.

Nigeria will now turn their attention to their final fixture of the competition against Guinea, as coach Hakeem Busari’s side look to complete the tournament with another victory.

The WAFU-B competition is also serving as valuable preparation for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where the Flamingos will compete against North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland in Group B.

The post WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins

Published

2 days ago

September 24, 2026

Elliot Michael

The EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered another action-packed round of fixtures on Matchday 5, with Sporting Lagos producing one of the biggest results of the round while Rangers International, Barau FC and Shooting Stars all secured important victories.

Sports247 reports that in Aba, Sporting Lagos stunned nine-time champions Enyimba FC 3-2, completing a remarkable comeback after the home side took the lead through Stanley Dimgba in the 44th minute. Tobi Iyanda extended Enyimba’s advantage in the 55th minute, but Sporting Lagos responded emphatically.

The visitors levelled in the 51st minute before Haruna Hadi put Sporting Lagos ahead in the 65th minute. Daniel Aboh added another four minutes later to complete the turnaround and condemn Enyimba to another defeat.

Rangers International continued their strong campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over newly promoted Ranchers Bees. Iwundu scored in the 53rd minute to hand the defending champions another valuable three points.

At home, Barau FC defeated Abia Warriors 2-0. Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Ibrahim Ayoola doubled the advantage in the 61st minute.

Bendel Insurance also secured a home victory, edging Ikorodu City 2-1. Chinedu Nwosu converted from the penalty spot in the 49th minute, while Alex Oweilayefa struck in the 84th minute. Aderemi Adeoye had earlier scored for Ikorodu City in the 80th minute.

In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Nasarawa United 2-1. Sanni Muhammed gave the hosts an early lead in the 12th minute before Jofrank Istifanus equalised for Nasarawa United in the 29th minute. AbdulSalam A. restored Kwara United’s advantage in the 65th minute.

Shooting Stars recorded a convincing 2-0 win over Katsina United, with Olanrewaju Ridwan and Qamar Adegoke finding the net.

Doma United and Plateau United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, while Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves shared the points after a goalless encounter.

In Lagos, Inter Lagos drew 1-1 with Kano Pillars. Ubong Friday, assisted by Ahmed Musa, put Pillars ahead in the 33rd minute before Bashir AbdulKareem levelled in the 76th minute.

The Matchday 5 action continues on Thursday when Rivers United, the Pride of Rivers, face Kun Khalifat FC. With the campaign gathering momentum, another round of NPFL drama awaits.

The post EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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BREAKING: Super Eagles Camp Grows to 23 as Ndidi, Chukwueze Land in Uyo Ahead of Madagascar Clash

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

The Super Eagles camp in Uyo has grown to 23 players following the arrival of captain Wilfred Ndidi and winger Samuel Chukwueze as Nigeria intensifies preparations for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

Ndidi and Chukwueze landed at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo at exactly 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, arriving from Lagos aboard an Ibom Air flight before linking up with the rest of Éric Chelle’s squad.

Their arrival followed that of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who had earlier increased the number of players in camp from 20 to 21 before the team headed out for its first training session.

The initial 20 arrivals were Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka.

With Nwabali, Ndidi and Chukwueze subsequently reporting, Chelle now has 23 players available, giving the coach an almost complete group as preparations gather momentum in Uyo.

Nigeria’s squad underwent a late alteration after Victor Osimhen was ruled out through injury, prompting the recall of Taiwo Awoniyi as his replacement.

The Coventry City striker is already in camp and will compete with Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena among the centre-forward options.

The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau for their second Group L qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

After the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria are under pressure to begin their AFCON campaign positively.

With 23 players now assembled in Uyo and training underway, Chelle can turn his attention to shaping the team he believes can deliver the opening three points against Madagascar.

The post BREAKING: Super Eagles Camp Grows to 23 as Ndidi, Chukwueze Land in Uyo Ahead of Madagascar Clash appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.