Handball: Nigerian coach Rafiu names 16-man Arrows team for AFCON

Coach Rafiu Salami has unveiled a roster of 16 players set to represent Nigeria at the 26th Africa Men Handball Nations Cup in Egypt.

Preparations for the tournament, scheduled from January 17 to 27, 2024, are in full swing as the Nigeria Handball Men National Team, also known as "The Golden Arrows," concludes its training camp in Abuja. The team is scheduled to depart for Egypt on Monday from the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja.

Coach Salami has strategically selected a squad consisting mainly of young yet seasoned and dynamic players. Notable inclusions are Farouk Yusuf, the Right Back from Franklin BM Granollers in Spain, Center back Ibrahim Dikko, and Right Wing Gbenga Cole, among others.

Expressing confidence in the team's abilities, Coach Salami envisions a successful campaign in Group D, which includes challenging opponents such as Angola, Kenya, and the ten-time champion Tunisia.

"The Golden Arrows" kick off their journey by facing Angola in their opening match at 3 pm Nigeria time (4 pm local time) on Wednesday, January 17, 2023. Subsequent matches include a showdown with Tunisia on Friday at 7 pm Nigeria time and a clash against Kenya on Sunday at 1 pm Nigeria time.

This will mark Nigeria's 15th appearance at the Nations Cup, with their most notable performance occurring in South Africa in 1998 when they secured a fourth-place finish.

Here is the final list of players selected for "The Golden Arrows":

Goalkeepers: Michael Solomon, Agbaji Obinna Okwor, Abbas Muhammad

Centerback: Ibrahim Dikko; Hakeem Salami

Left back: Joseph Gbawuan; John Shagari

Left wing: Anas Muhammad; Andrew Ojo

Right back: Farouk Yusuf, Obinna Anih, Gbenga Rotibi

Right wing: Gbenga Cole; Osamwonyi Mathew Olaye

Pivots: Steven Sessugh Iorter, Daniel Bello