Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national handball team, the Golden Arrows, Coach Rafiu Salami, has unveiled the final 16-man squad for the Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup 2026, scheduled to take place from January 21 to 31 in Kigali, Rwanda.

 

The list was released after several weeks of intensive camping and training in Abuja, where players underwent rigorous tactical, physical, and technical sessions aimed at sharpening the team ahead of the continental championship.

 

The selected squad features a blend of home-based players and foreign-based professionals, reflecting the technical crew’s strategy to balance experience with youthful energy. The goalkeeping department is led by Qatar-based Olatunde Adams, alongside Michael Ogbaji of Cotonou and Okwor Obinna of COAS.

 

In the backcourt, Nigeria will depend on the experience of France-based Yusuf Faruk and Morocco-based Rotibi Gbenga, while the centre back position will be marshalled by Hakeem Salami of Morocco, supported by Ibrahim Dikko from Cotonou. The pivot role offers strength and versatility with Daniel Bello of Turkey and Cotonou-based Sessugh Stephen.

 

The wings provide additional firepower, with France-based Azeez Suleiman and Morocco-based Cole Gbenga joined by Kareem Ajibike, Mohammed Mustapha, and Atabo Abdullahi, all expected to bring pace and attacking options to the team.

 

Nigeria has been drawn into Group A of the championship alongside hosts Rwanda, Algeria, and Zambia. The Golden Arrows will open their campaign in the first match of the tournament on Wednesday against Algeria, a fixture expected to provide an early test of the team’s readiness and ambitions.

 

Coach Salami will be supported by a backroom staff that includes assistants Innocent Nwankwo and David Emmanuel, Technical Director Mohammed Bala Khalid, and medical personnel led by Sha Grace Saleh, as Nigeria targets a strong showing in Kigali.

 

Historically, Nigeria has featured in the Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup 15 times since debuting at the competition in Tunisia in 1974, with its best performance being a fourth-place finish at the 1998 edition in South Africa.

 

Meanwhile, the team received a boost to its preparations as Salis Ventilated Homes Limited, based in Abuja, donated kits to the Rwanda-bound Golden Arrows. President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Ojih Saidu (FNIQS), expressed appreciation for the gesture, assuring that the kits would be put to judicious use as the players strive to make Nigeria proud at the championship.

 

Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup 2026 – Nigeria Squad

 

Goalkeepers:

Olatunde Adams (Qatar), Michael Ogbaji (Cotonou), Okwor Obinna (COAS)

 

Back Left:

John Shagari (Cotonou), Tahir Lawal Ahmad (Corrections Service)

 

Back Right:

Yusuf Faruk (France), Rotibi Gbenga (Morocco)

 

Centre Back:

Hakeem Salami (Morocco), Ibrahim Dikko (Cotonou)

 

Pivot:

Sessugh Stephen (Cotonou), Daniel Bello (Turkey)

 

Left Wing:

Kareem Ajibike (Cotonou), Mohammed Mustapha (Sokoto)

 

Right Wing:

Azeez Suleiman (France), Cole Gbenga (Morocco), Atabo Abdullahi (Cotonou)