HFN names squad for Gabon tourney

The Handball Federation of Nigeria on Sunday named 16 players for the 2018 African Handball Championship in Gabon from January 17 to 27.

The players were selected from the 23 players who began camping in November.

Secretary-General of the federation Haruna Maigidansama, told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday that the team consist of  three foreign-based players and 13 home-based players.

The  foreign-based players  are Obinna Ani (KMC Sports Club Marrakech, Morocco), Philip Kalu (Maccabi Holon HB Club of Israel) and Adamolegbe Oladunjo (Al Shamal Sports Club Doha, Qatar)

The domestic league players are Joseph Udale (FRSC), Aminu Adamu (Kano Pillars), Ogedegbe Chris (Kano Pillars), Amadi Emmanuel (Kano Pillars), Samuel Samora (Nigerian Army), Aliyu Aminu (Niger United), Mudashiru Abdulmajid (Civil Defence), Sallau Saka (FRCS), Solomon Michael (Kano Pillars), Akande Tope (FRSC), Emeana Emmanuel (FRSC), Iortyer Stephen (Benue Buffalo), and Osas Michael (Civil Defence).

Maigidansama said,  “The team leave the country for Gabon on Tuesday. They will stop over in Cotonou and Togo for a few days to acclimatise before leaving for Gabon for the competition on January 14.”

Nigeria play in Group B along with Egypt, Angola, DR Congo and Morocco. The first four teams in the group qualify for the quarterfinals.

Other teams  are Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon and Congo.

Maigidansanma said Rafiu Salami, Bala Mohammed and Shittu Adewumi are the new coaches for the women’s senior team while Fidelis Obi and Nnamani Joseph have been appointed as the U-20 men’s team coaches Obi John and Stella Ndudi are in charge of the U-20 women’s  team.

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