The Technical Director of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Ferdinand Emeanaa said the team can secure a ticket for the 2021 World Men’s Handball Championship in Egypt.
The Nigerian Men Senior Handball Team is currently on a Training Camping Tour in Tunisia towards the 2020 African Nations Cup scheduled for Tunis from 16th to 26th January, 2020.
It will act as the African qualifying tournament for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and 2021 World Men’s Handball Championship in Egypt.
Speaking to www.aclsports.com from Tunis, Emeanaa said the players are responding to training and preparations are going well in Tunisia.
He said Nigeria will play trials matches before the Nations Cup commences.
The former Imo Lions player said, “We camped for a month in Lagos and are currently in Tunisia to acclimatise with the weather here. This is to ensure the players do not struggle to adjust to the weather condition in Tunisia before the Nations Cup proper. With the couple of young players paraded to represent us at the 2020 Nations cup, I see Nigeria picking a World Cup ticket”.
“The players will play some trial matches here in Tunisia on Saturday (3rd January) we play Morocco in Grombalia, next Wednesday (8th January), Nigeria takes on Club Benikhiar by 5pm at Benikhiar; the third trial match is against Cameroon next Friday (10th January) by 2pm while the last trial match is against RD Congo on Sunday (12th January) by 4pm”.
Emeanaa expressed optimism that the team can perform exploit at the 2020 African Men’s Handball Championship adding that the goalkeepers selected can withstand pressure.
The former Captain of Kano Pyramids HC said, “I believe the team is destined for greatness. As you can see, we have a relatively young team that is ready to do Nigeria proud.
“Every coach wants a good record which means to win. I am sure the coaches selected the duo of Michael Agbaji (Kano Pillars) and Obinna Okwor (Confluence Stars) because the crew know they can withstand pressure”.
“Both goalkeepers are tested and exposed; they have both played at the World Cups (Junior and Cadet) and other big tournaments in the world” Emeanaa told www.aclsports.com
