National handball team ends first phase camping for Gabon

The first phase of camping by the senior national handball team preparing for the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon has ended in Lagos.

The chief coach of the team, Micheal Taangahar, told Daily Trust on phone that the camp would reopen on December 3 at the National Stadium in Lagos. He explained that only 23 out of the 35 players who opened the camp would be recalled to camp for the last phase of camping.

According to him the names of those to return to camp will be released few days to the time in order to avoid unnecessary distractions.

The coach said the players showed the required commitment to training and are eager to do the nation proud at the championship proper.

Taangahar maintained that only the best among the players would be selected to represent Nigeria in Gabon.

“To ensure maximum concentration, we would call back only 23 player for the final phase of camping. It is out of this number that we shall arrive at the final list.

“Most of the players are used to international tournaments. All they need is physical fitness and some technical touches here and there.

“From what I have seen, I am confident that with more hard work, we shall perform well in Gabon,” he said.