Nigeria’s U-23 men’s handball team is set to compete against the United States of America, Azerbaijan, and Moldova in Group B of the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship. The competition, scheduled from March 11 to 16, will take place in Varna, Bulgaria, following the draw at the IHF Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.
Led by coach Solomon Yola, Nigeria’s team has previous encounters with both the USA and Azerbaijan at this level. They faced defeat by the Americans during the inaugural event in Georgia in 2019 but managed to secure a victory against Azerbaijan in the 2023 championship, also held in Bulgaria.
Samuel Ocheho, President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, sees this tournament as an opportunity for redemption and growth. “This is a tricky group for our boys but I see opportunities as it is an opportunity for the team to improve on their previous 7th place standings in the championship,” Ocheho stated.
He expressed confidence in the team’s potential, saying, “We also know our opponents in this competition and will give all the necessary support for the team to succeed because we believe they will thrive in the championship.”
Ocheho also made a plea to the National Sports Commission for support, highlighting the Federation’s commitment to elevating Nigeria’s standing in global handball.