The Head Coach of Nigeria handball U20 female team, John Uzor has said that the Nigerian team is set for the IHF Challenge Trophy, which begins on Monday in Niamey.
Nigeria is in Zone 3 with Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and host, Niger Republic.
Uzor in Niamey told www.aclsports.com that his intention is to dethrone the reigning champion, Ivory Coast.
He said, “We are very prepared for this tournament. Remember the first day the U20 girls resumed camp; I told www.aclsports.com that within five days, I will know the confidence level of the team as well as selection. Now I can assure you that I am ready for this challenge.
“I do not see any country upsetting Nigeria at the tournament because the last edition, we were absent and the trophy went to Ivory Coast; so definitely we are going to upset the champion of this zone”.
The former Edo Dynamos player said the players were selected based on merit adding that most of the players excelled at various championships last year.
He said, “You know when you do championships for each groups, it is not always easy getting the best. I can confidently tell you that most of the girls in the U20 squad are among the best you can lay your hands on in the country right now.
“We did not do our selections based on sentiments; it was strictly on merit from the two major championships (National U15 and National Youth Games) done last year”.
The IHF Challenge Trophy billed for Niamey, Niger Republic from 25th February to 3rd March, 2019.
The full list of Nigeria handball U20 female team:
1) Mercy Audu (Seasiders Babes/Left back)
2) Oluwatosin Egbebiyi (Owena Queens/Right back)
3) Erepadi Johnbull (Benue state/Pivot)
4) Palang Alaska (Desert Queens/Goalkeeper)
5) Blessing Danjuma (Plateau Peacock/Goalkeeper)
6) Josephine Ezeugwu (Owena Queens/Left winger)
7) Sandra Godwin (Edo Dynamos/Right winger)
8) Sandra Edokpolor (Edo Dynamos/Pivot)
9) Victoria Moses (Kada Queens/Left winger)
10) Blessing Ayodele (Defenders Babes/Right back)
11) Elizabeth Akwobi (Owena Queens/Right back)
12) Onyiyechi Iloh (Kada Queens/Left back)
13) Onyedikachi Mburum (Imo grasshoppers/Right winger)
14) Ininitimi Sylvanus (Benue state/Playmaker)
