Handball: Ojih Engages With CAHB President As Nigeria Secures AFCON 2026 Spot

The president of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), conducted a working visit to Dr. Mansourou Aremou, the President of the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB), in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Tuesday. The discussions focused on the advancement and development of handball in Nigeria.

During the meeting, Mr. Ojih extended his heartfelt gratitude to the CAHB leadership for confirming the inclusion of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team in the upcoming 2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“I want to sincerely thank Dr. Aremou and the entire CAHB board for their consideration and continued belief in Nigerian handball,” Ojih said.

“This inclusion signifies more than mere participation; it represents trust, recognition, and an opportunity for our players to showcase their talent on the continental stage,” he added.

In addition to the competition, as highlighted in a press statement by Cosmos Chukwuemeka Akisi, HFN’s Media Assistant, Mr. Ojih used the visit to advocate for enhanced collaboration between CAHB and Nigeria to further develop the sport at a grassroots level.

He emphasised the necessity for structured capacity-building programmes for coaches and referees, which forms a core part of his vision to fortify the technical foundation of handball in the country.

“We are committed to elevating the standard of the game in Nigeria, starting with equipping our technical officials, coaches, and referees with the latest knowledge and skills,” Ojih stated.

“We also aim to enhance grassroots development, particularly through school programmes, as this is where the future stars of Nigerian handball will emerge,” he added.

In response, Dr. Aremou commended the dedication of the HFN leadership and reaffirmed CAHB’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s developmental initiatives.

“Nigeria is a vital member of the African handball family, and we are delighted to confirm the inclusion of the Nigerian men’s national team in the 2026 African Cup of Nations.

“Moreover, CAHB is eager to collaborate closely with HFN to bolster its technical framework and support grassroots initiatives that will further nurture the sport in the country,” Dr. Aremou remarked.

This meeting is regarded as a significant diplomatic achievement for handball in Nigeria and a pivotal step towards re-establishing the country’s presence at the highest levels of continental handball competitions.