Coach Rafiu Salami has picked sixteen players who will represent Nigeria in the Africa Women Handball Championship which is slated to hold from June 6.
Leading the team is Benue Queen’s left-back Dorathy Nyagh alongside Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2020 best goalkeeper Toyin Yusuf of Plateau Peacocks.
The duo of Prudent Energy Handball Premier League Champions Adorable Angels of Kwara Muhinat Yusuf and Wuruola Nuhu are included while Edo Dynamos duo Alaska Palang and Daina Saaloo make the cut.
Safety Babes quartet of Patience Amodu, Chisom Umeh, Ruth Ojo Iko, and Taiwo Raji are included while Benin Republic-based players Rachael Ovetuo and Mercy Audu are the only foreign-based players to make the final team list.
The National Women Senior Handball Team have been undergoing intensive training under the tutorship of Coach Rafiu Salami and his assistant Coach Yusuf Abdukadir for over a month at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment in Abuja and have played series of friendly matches to tune-up for the match.
They are expected to travel to Yaoundé, Cameroon on Friday wherein they will play in group B against host Cameroon, DR Congo, and Kenya.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria Alhaji Maigidansanma Mohammed believes the National Women Handball Team will do well in the Africa Women Handball Championship as they are in good hands under the tutelage of Coach Rafiu Salami.
In a statement signed by him from the HFN secretariat, Alhaji Maigidansanma described the Issy Handball Club of France tactician as a refined and humble personality whose doggedness and passion for his job is second to none.
For Maigidansanma, these qualities and several more are the necessary qualities that will spur the ladies to victory in Cameroon.
“Let me on behalf of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) express my delight and appreciation to a refined and humble personality, COACH SALAMI SULU RAFIU for his humility, passion, doggedness, and indeed, his generosity to humanity.” Alhaji Maigidansanma said
“No regrets knowing or serving with you in the course of human capacity and nation-building, your resilient, calmness, and perseverance are worthy of note and something to write home about, keep it up, sir”.
Alhaji Maigidansanma Mohammed, who on behalf of the Nigeria Handball Family and the HFN appreciate the service of the coach for his continuous service in the development of the game in Nigeria, also urged him to continue his good works and that the HFN will continue to support him as they are proud of him.
“We sincerely and gratefully express our hearts warming appreciation for your good deeds and service to the nation, most especially the Handball Federation of Nigeria.
May Allah continue to strengthen and prosper you with sound health, wealth, and many successes/achievements in your sojourn in life, Amen and Amen!!!
Indeed, you remain our pride and members of the Handball family are very much proud of you with the loudest ovation.”
TEAM NIGERIA DELEGATION TO CAMEROON FOR THE WOMEN’S SENIOR AFRICA NATIONS CUP.
PLAYERS:
1. Toyin Yusuf PLATEAU PEACOCKS, Nigeria.
2. Patience Amodu SAFETY BABES, Nigeria.
3. Alaska Palang EDO DYNAMOS, Nigeria.
4. Daina Saaloo EDO DYNAMOS, Nigeria.
5. Rachael Ovetuo ASPAC, Benin Republic
6. Khadijat Musbau SEASIDER BABES, Nigeria.
7. Mercy Audu ASPAC, Benin Republic.
8. Ahamefula C. Grace ABIA VALIANTS, Nigeria.
9. Chisome Umeh SAFETY BABES, Nigeria.
10. Dorathy Nyagh BENUE QUEENS, Nigeria.
11. Ruth Ojo Iko SAFETY BABES, Nigeria.
12. Taiwo Raji SAFETY BABES, Nigeria.
13. Muhinat Yusuf KWARA ADORABLE ANGELS, Nigeria.
14.Adaobi Okoro DEFENDER BABES, Nigeria.
15. Ashiawu Wuraola Nuhu KWARA ADORABLE ANGELS, Nigeria
16. Ugochi Nnadi IMO GRASSHOPPERS, Nigeria.
COACHES:
17. Rafiu Salami – HEAD COACH (Issy Handball Club, Masculin, France)
18. Yusuf Ibrahim Abdulkadir -COACH (Plateau Peacocks, Nigeria).
