Handball Federation invites 23 players to camp

By Taofeek Babalola

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has invited 23 players to camp ahead of the forthcoming 23rd African Men Senior Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier.

The secretary of the federation, Haruna Muhd Maigidan Sama, said the invited players were picked from the 37 players, who took part in the first phase of the camping earlier in August this year in Lagos.

Sama added that those called to camp will slug it out for place in the team that will be representing the country in Gabon, host country of the event billed for 17-28 January 2018.

All invited players are expected to report to camp in Lagos on December 3rd, under the watchful eyes o

f coach Michael Taangahar. Taangahar will be assisted by Solomon Yola as Assistant Coach and Segun Tunji as Goalkeeper trainer.

He said among the invited players there are three professionals who plies their trades in Qatar, Morocco and Israel while the remaining 20 where drawn from various Handball teams across the country.

The team of 16 players will leave Lagos on January 9 for a closed camping in Cotonou Benin Republic, in order to acclimate and engage in some top friendly matches up to 14 January before their final departure to Libreville, Gabon on January 15 for the Nation Cup/World Cup qualifier that will commence on 17 January.

The team Nigeria will feature in group B which also includes Egypt, Angola, Morocco and Congo.

Invited players are:

Goalkeepers:-Saka Sallau Saidu (FRCS), Olatunde Adams (Al Shamal Sports Club Doha, Qatar), Michael Solomon Agbaji (Kano Pillars) and Muktari Muhammad (FRSC).

Pivots:

Sesugh Stephen Iortyer (Benue Buffalo), Akande Michael Tope (FRSC), Nneji Okiri Emeana (FRSC) and Moses Okunoma (FRSC)

Centre back: Chris Ogedegbe Ahmed (Kano Pillars) Abdulmajid Mudashiru (Civil Defence), Abubakar Atabo (FRSC), and Emeka Adigwe (Edo Dynamos).

Back left:

Philip Igwe Kalu (Maccabi holon hb Club of Israel), Samora Samuel (Nigerian Army) and Kingsley Okubuike (Kano Pillars).

Back right:

Jacob Katau Ayuba (Taraba Ambassadors), Obinna Ani (KMC Sports Club Marrakech, Morocco) and Gbenga kole (Lagos Sea siders).

Wing left: Aminu Aliyu (Niger United), Aminu Adamu (Kano Pillars) and Ibitoye Ayomide Martins (Lagos Sea siders).

Wing Right:

Emmanuel Amadi (FRSC) and Osas Olaye Mathew (Edo Dynamos).