By Editor
Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Handball Team, the Golden Arrows, has opened camp in Abuja as preparations continue for the Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup, scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, from January 21 to 31, 2026.
The Continental Nations Cup will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship, with the top five nations earning automatic qualification to the global showpiece.
In Group B, Nigeria will face the host nation, Rwanda, seven-time African champions Algeria, and Zambia in what promises to be a highly competitive group.
Nigeria has featured in the Africa Handball Nations Cup 15 times since first qualifying for the championship in Tunisia in 1974, with the best performance being a 4th-place finish in 1998 in South Africa
As of Friday, December 27, 2025, 17 players from the 24 invited players had already reported to camp at the Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, and commenced intensive training sessions.
The list of invited players reflects a blend of home-based talents and foreign-based professionals, a move expected to boost the team’s competitiveness in Kigali. Among the notable foreign-based invitees is back-right player Farouk Yusuf, who plies his trade in France.
He is joined by Rotimi Gbenga and Akeem Salami, both based in Morocco, as well as Daniel Bello, a pivot player currently playing in Turkey.
The goalkeeping department also boasts international exposure with top goalkeeper Olatunde Adams, who plies his trade in Qatar, Michael Ogbaji, and Mohammed Abbas, who play in Cotonou, Benin Republic, alongside Okwor Obinna, who plays for COAS Shooters of the Nigeria Army.
Other players include John Shagari, Nasiru Hassan, Safety Shooters, and Mohammed Adam of Corrections Boys, who are expected to provide depth, while the centre back position is strengthened by Ibrahim Dikko (Cotonou) and Farouk Kazeem (Tojemarine).
The pivot and wing positions equally feature a strong mix of talent, with players like Sessugh Stephen, James Korede Kuti, and Ibrahim Adio, as well as wingers Anas Mohammed, Kareem Ajibike, Mustapha Mohammed, and Abubakar Ahmed, combining speed, power, and finishing ability.
The Golden Arrows are under the technical leadership of Head Coach Rafiu Salami, assisted by Innocent Nwankwo Chukwuma of Safety Shooters and Emmanuel David.
Photo caption
Action from the national men’s league that ended in December
List of invited players
Goalkeepers
1. Olatunde Adams – Qatar
2. Michael Ogbaji – Cotonou
3. Okwor Obinna – Coas
4. Mohammed Abbas – Cotonou
Back Left
5. John Shagari – Cotonou
6. Nasiru Hassan – FRSC
7. Mohammed Adam – Corrections
Back Right
8. Yusuf Faruk – France
9. Rotibi Gbenga – Morocco
Centre Back
10. Akeem Salami – Morocco
11. Ibrahim Dikko – Cotonou
12. Farouk Kazeem – Jojemarine
Pivot
13. Sessugh Stephen – Cotonou
14. Daniel Bello – Turkey
15. James Kuti Korede – Tojemarine
16. Ibrahim Adio – Cotonou
Left Wing
17. Anas Mohammed – Cotonou
18. Kareem Ajibike – Cotonou
19. Mustapha Mohammed – Sokoto
20. Abubakar Ahmed – Sokoto
Right Wing
21. Azeez Suleiman – France
22. Cole Gbenga – Morocco
23. Mustapha Mohammed – Sokoto
24. Atabo Abdullahi – Cotonou
Extrasportnigeria 
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