Nigeria Names Final Squad for U-18 African Handball Championship in Algeria

Nigeria has unveiled its 14-player squad for the 2025 U-18 African Handball Championship, which kicks off this weekend in Oran, Algeria, Sport360NG reports.

Head coach John Uzor and his assistant, Bukola Duru, will lead the team, which has been preparing at Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba, Lagos. Nineteen players were initially invited to camp before the list was trimmed to the final roster.

Among those selected are goalkeepers Aisha Jamilu of Rima Queens and Okonkwo Sharon from Edo Dynamos. The squad also includes Mohammed Balikiss, Ngozi Okorie, Duru Success, Ngaodurubie Chetachi, Oluwalade Phebe, Momodu Joy Veronica, Esther Peter, Desola Wasiu, Terfa Cynthia, Igbinidion Blessing, Balogun Faizat, and Audu Salamatu.

Several members of the team featured in the side that lifted the IHF Women’s Trophy Zone 3 title earlier this year in Ivory Coast.

Nigeria will compete in Group A alongside Angola, Tunisia, Kenya, Benin Republic, and Madagascar. Host nation Algeria has been drawn in Group B with Egypt, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Zambia.

The championship will be staged across two venues in Oran: the 7,000-capacity Miloud Hadefi Complex Arena and the 5,000-seater Hamou Boutlelis Sports Palace. Eleven nations will take part in the biennial competition.

Nigeria reached the podium at the last edition in 2023, defeating three-time winners Angola 28-24 to claim bronze in Monastir, Tunisia. This year’s tournament doubles as a qualifier for the 2026 Women’s Youth World Handball Championship and the IHF Women’s Intercontinental Phase.