The final list of players for Nigeria’s Women’s Under 18 Handball Team has been released as the team prepares to compete in the 2025 African Women’s Youth Handball Championship in Oran, Algeria.
The championship, which will take place from September 14 to 21, 2025, serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Women’s Youth World Handball Championship and the IHF Women’s Intercontinental Phase.
The 14-player roster includes experienced players who were part of the team that won the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase for Africa Zone 3 in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
Some notable players include:
Goalkeepers:
Aisha Jamilu (Rima Queens of Sokoto)
Okonkwo Sharon (Edo Dynamos)
Left Backs:
Mohammed Balikiss (Soof Omo Ogiefo)
Ngozi Okorie (Soof HBC)
Left Wings:
Duru Success (Edo Dynamos)
Ngaodurubie Chetachi (Soof Omo Ogiefo)
Pivots:
Oluwalade Phebe (Ekiti Queens)
Momodu Joy Veronica (Ekiti Queens)
Center Backs:
Esther Peter (Rima Queens of Sokoto)
Desola Wasiu (Imo Grasshoppers)
Right Wings:
Terfa Cynthia (Defender Babes)
Igbinidion Blessing (Delta Queens)
Right Backs:
Balogun Faizat (Imo Grasshoppers)
Audu Salamatu (FUNAD Academy)
Nigeria has been pitted in Group A alongside Angola, Tunisia, Kenya, Benin Republic, and Madagascar, while Group B features host Algeria, five-time champion Egypt, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Zambia.
The team has a significant assignment ahead, aiming to match their exploits at the 2023 African Women’s Youth Handball Championship in Monastir, Tunisia, where they secured third place after defeating Angola 28-24.
This victory helped them qualify for the world championship for the first time in their history.
