Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Handball Team, popularly known as the Golden Arrows, has opened a residential training camp in Abuja as preparations gather momentum for the Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup, scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, from January 21 to 31, 2026.
The continental championship is particularly significant as it also serves as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship, with the top five teams from the competition earning automatic tickets to the global event.
Nigeria Drawn in Tough Group B
Nigeria has been drawn in Group B, where they will face host nation Rwanda, seven-time African champions Algeria, and Zambia. The group is widely regarded as one of the most competitive pools in the championship, with each team eyeing progression to the knockout stages.
The Golden Arrows will be looking to build on past continental experiences and improve on their best-ever finish of fourth place, achieved at the 1998 Africa Handball Nations Cup in South Africa. Nigeria has featured in the competition 15 times, having first qualified in 1974 in Tunisia.
Players Report to Abuja Camp
As of Friday, December 27, 2025, 17 players out of the 24 invited have already reported to camp at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The players have commenced intensive training sessions focusing on tactical execution, physical conditioning, and team cohesion, while the remaining invitees are expected to arrive no later than Tuesday.
The invited squad reflects a blend of home-based players and foreign-based professionals, a strategy expected to enhance the team’s competitiveness in Kigali.
Foreign-Based Stars Boost Squad Depth
Among the notable foreign-based invitees is Farouk Yusuf, a back-right player based in France, whose European experience is expected to add depth and quality to Nigeria’s attacking options. He is joined by Rotimi Gbenga and Akeem Salami, both plying their trade in Morocco, as well as Daniel Bello, a pivot player currently playing in Turkey.
The goalkeeping department also boasts significant international exposure, led by Olatunde Adams of Qatar, alongside Michael Ogbaji and Mohammed Abbas, both based in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and Okwor Obinna of COAS Shooters, ensuring healthy competition between the posts.
Strong Domestic Core and Tactical Leadership
The domestic contingent includes players such as John Shagari, Nasiru Hassan, and Mohammed Adam, while the centre-back position is reinforced by Ibrahim Dikko and Farouk Kazeem. The wings and pivot positions also feature dynamic talents including Sessugh Stephen, James Korede Kuti, Ibrahim Adio, Anas Mohammed, Kareem Ajibike, Mustapha Mohammed, and Abubakar Ahmed, offering a mix of speed, strength, and finishing ability.
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has issued a strong disciplinary directive, with its President, Mr. Jibril Saidu Ojih (FNSQ), approving a mandate that any invited player who fails to report to camp by Tuesday risks being dropped from the final squad.
The Golden Arrows are under the technical leadership of Head Coach Rafiu Salami, assisted by Innocent Nwankwo Chukwuma and Emmanuel David, with the coaching crew placing strong emphasis on tactical discipline, match fitness, and mental preparedness ahead of the Nations Cup.
With preparations in full swing, Nigeria will be hoping to make a strong statement in Kigali and secure a return to the global handball stage.
