Nigeria’s U-18, U-20 Women’s Handball Teams Depart for IHF Trophy in Abidjan

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Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have unveiled their final squads of 14 players each ahead of the 2025 IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, set to hold in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from April 20 to 24.

After two weeks of intensive training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos, both teams departed for Abidjan on Thursday, brimming with confidence and national pride.

For the U-18 team, coach John Uzor has named standout players including Omole Joy and Omole Shola of Defender Babes, Ojie Princess of Funad Academy, and right back Faisat Balogun. Others making the final cut include Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes, and Sharon Okonkwo.

Meanwhile, the U-20 side led by coach Shittu Agboola retains a core group of players who have developed together since their U-18 days. The team is captained by Chidera Ogbusimba and features the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed, Joy Peters (all of Rima Queens), and foreign-based players Rahima Bello (Israel), Kehinde Babatunde and Esther Mathew (both based in Benin Republic).

Coach Shittu expressed disappointment over the absence of Taiwo Babatunde, whose school—Yaba College of Technology—refused to release her due to ongoing examinations.

“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is national service. It’s sad. I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work together so schools support our efforts in sports development,” he said.

Despite the setback, Shittu remains optimistic: “We still have the core of the team and I believe we’ll do well at the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase in Abidjan.”

In the group stage, Nigeria’s U-18 team will face Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso in Group A, while the U-20 team competes in Group B against Benin Republic and Togo.

All matches will be held at the Multipurpose Sports Hall (Salle Polyvalente des Parcs de Sport de Treichville), Abidjan.

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