Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 men’s handball teams have officially touched down in Lomé, Togo, ahead of the 2026 IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Tournament, which starts today, April 7.

Following the official draw, both Nigerian squads find themselves in competitive groups as they look to assert their regional dominance.

Nigeria has been drawn into Group B, where they will face:

•Benin Republic
•Burkina Faso
•Niger Republic

Group A features the hosts Togo, alongside Ghana and Ivory Coast.

U-20 Category (Junior)
In the junior division, Nigeria also headlines Group B, competing against:

•Ivory Coast
•Burkina Faso

Group A consists of Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Niger.

The U-18 team, led by officials Abdulhakim Yakubu and Ayo Joshua, boasts a balanced roster including standout names like Friday Shuaibu, Shaibu Mohammed, and Aliyu Rufai.

Meanwhile, the U-20 squad is under the guidance of Head Coach David Emmanuel. Speaking prior to their departure, Emmanuel expressed total confidence in his boys, stating they are “mentally and tactically prepared” for the Lome challenge.

“The camp period allowed players to understand each other better and align with our tactical philosophy. We are not just here to participate; we are here to win.” — David Emmanuel, U-20 Head Coach.

The tournament, which runs from April 7 to April 11, carries significant weight. The winners of both the U-18 and U-20 categories will earn the right to represent Zone 3 at the Continental Phase of the IHF Trophy Africa. From there, teams can progress to the intercontinental stage and ultimately qualify for the IHF World Championships.

Nigeria enters the tournament as a traditional powerhouse in the region and will be looking to secure early victories in their opening group matches to set the tone for the championship.