Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Releases 14 Man List For Olympic Qualifiers

In line with their promise and drive to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Technical Committee has released a strong 14 man list for next month’s qualifiers in South Africa.

Arising from their technical meeting held on Tuesday in Lagos, the federation listed Nigeria’s rugby golden boy and speedster, Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC), Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Barewa RFC), Alfred Oche (Jos RFC), Onoru Oyiza Jatto (Cowrie RFC), Samuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC), Hafis Ayinla (Cowrie RFC) as part of the team to be captained by Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC).

Determined to have a blend of homegrown and foreign base players, 3 players were invited from the United Kingdom, 2 from the United States of America and 1 from South Africa, most of whom were discovered at the recently held President Cup international invitational tournament The Onwukanjo brothers may be in line to feature for the national team together for the first time following the decision of the federation to extend an invitation to Onyinye Onwukanjo (Davenport University Rugby, USA) and Ike Onwukanjo (USA Northeast Olympic Academy).

Other foreign based players are Omotohunola Odulaja (Old Blues RFC, UK), Ayomide Joseph Mogaji (Doking RFC UK), Danjuma Mshelia (Richmond RFC, UK) and Thankgod Okafor (Sharks RFC South Africa)

In a statement made available to the federation’s media department, NRFF Technical Direstor, Fasimoye Olatunji, Technical Adviser, Bandele Coker and Team Doctor, Bukola Bojuwoye will be part of the 19 man delegation to South Africa.

The delegation which will be led by President of the federation, Edward Pam Fom will leave Lagos on the 8th of November for the tournament slated for the 14th and 15th of November Johannesburg.

Head coach and South African Rugby 7s legend, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the Local boys in Johannesburg on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers.

Nigerian Rugby team the Black Stallions,

Nigeria is drawn alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia in Pool B.

Full list

Christian OGAR (Cowrie RFC, Prop/Hooker)

Ikechukwu ONWUKANJO (USA Northeast Olympic Academy, Wing/Prop)

Nuhu Ibrahim SAMAILA (Barewa RFC, Scrum half/ Playmaker)

Danjuma MSHELIA (Richmond RFC, UK, Wing)

Alfred OCHE (Jos RFC, Fly half)

Omotohunola ODULAJA (Old Blues RFC, Scrum Half/ Playmaker)

Azeez LADIPO (Cowrie RFC, Fly half/ Playmaker)

Ayomide Joseph MOGAJI (Dorking RFC, Prop/ Wing)

Onoru Oyiza JATTO (Cowrie RFC, Wing)

Samuel EKPO (Cowrie RFC, Prop)

Onyinyeukwu ONWUKANJO (Davenport University Rugby, Prop/Hooker)

Hafis AYINLA (Cowrie RFC, Prop)

ThankGod OKAFOR (Sharks RFC, South Africa, Prop/ Centre)

Standby Player
Emmanuel AKINLUYI (Samurai Midwives, HFW Wailers, Prop/Centre)

Nigeria’s Rugby Team Books Passage To All Africa Games And Olympics Qualifiers.

Nigeria have booked their ticket to the All Africa games and Olympics qualifiers after winning 2 games and losing 2 at the Africa cup North Rugby tournament. The Rugby National team started on a bright start after walloping Mali by 36-0 in the first game of the campaign.

The latest rave in the South West league, Christian Ogar of Cowrie RFC and Ikechukwu Onwukanjo scored 2 tries each with UK based Danjuma Msheila, Alfred Oche weighing in with a try of their own to bring the total numbers of points recorded to 30points.

Black Stallions, Azeez Olanrewaju

Black Stallions’ captain Azeez Ladipo also contributed his own quota as he showed leadership by example by converting 3 penalty kicks to put the final score at 36points in favour of Nigeria.

In the second game It was a different story entirely as the more physical Morocco took the game to the Nigerian team.

After containing the Moroccans for a while, Nigeria lost their bearing later in the 1st half to concede the 1st try and finally conceding 14 tries to 0 in the 1st half.

In the 2nd quarter, it was business as usual for the Nigeria team as they tried to claw their way back into the game with Ikechukwu Onwukanjo scoring a try after an impressive run by former national team captain, Hammed Gbenga as Ladipo converted the resulting kick.

With spectators expecting a comeback by Nigeria with the score standing at 14-7, Morocco went a step ahead again with another 7 points of their own which took the wind out of the Nigerian team sail.

With the game coming to a close and both teams becoming tired, Morocco confirmed their superiority with another 7 points courtesy of a try and a penalty kick conversion.

Despite the 21 to 7 points loss, Nigeria were still able to qualify for the semifinals where they met their West Africa brothers, Ivory Coast which turned out to be an exciting match.

The match started on a cautious note as both sides were not ready to throw caution to the winds.

It paid off for the Ivorians as they drew the first blood before Onor Jato replied with a try of his own to draw level for Nigeria and Azeez Ladipo converted the resulting kick to give the Nigerian side a 2 point advantage into the half time.

The technical input of the technical crew paid off in the 2nd half as the Black Stallions dominated proceedings as they made use of the full length of the pitch to wear their opponents down.

Black Stallions 7s prop Hafis Ayinla

The Black Stallions took the lead when Christian Ogar’s pressure on the opponent’s defense paid off as a careless ball was picked up by debutant, Ikechukwu Onwukanjo to score his 4th try of the competition before the dependable Azeez stepped up to convert the kick.

The match ended in 14 points to 5 in favor of the team.

In the finals, Nigeria once again met Morocco and this time the Nigerians took an early lead through Danjuma Msheila as the game started on a frenetic note as Azeez converted the penalty kick which put the score at 7-0 against Morocco.

The Nigerian side had the chance to see off their opponents but the chances were fluffed which gave the Moroccans the opportunity to come back in the 2nd half to claim the much coveted victory by 38 to 7 points.

The team will arrive in Nigeria From Togo today.

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Reveals Sevens Squad For All Africa Games & Pre-Olympics Qualifiers

The NRFF has named the squad to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup Sevens North Tournament to be held in Lome, Togo on the 6th of June, 2015. The squad, which is coached and led by South African Sevens Rugby Legend Fabian Juries, will feature a plethora of talent.

“The team features eight changes from the side that went to The Africa Cup 7s in Zimbabwe last year, with the inclusion of three foreign based players.

“In this Black Stallions squad, I think we have an extremely talented group of players with the right mix of experience and youth. I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can produce in Togo. The foreign based players will make a big difference. Dajuma has blistering pace and will be vital to the team, Ike will bring something new to this squad as well and Temi Okenla is an experienced playmaker. We will not lack pace at all as we still have our wing man; Christian Ogar and Isaac Sani will bring in his power play onto the squad.” Said Fasimoye Olatunji who is Technical Director and NRFF Vice President.

They will all Stallions will be in camp from May the 27th – June 3rd and train hard together for the task ahead.

The team also includes captain; Azeez Ladipo and young understudy fly half from Jos RFC; Alfred Oche.

Black Stallions 7s coach and ex Springbok player; Fabian Juries is the 4th highest point scorer in world 7-a-side rugby.

Black Stallions 7s team

The Complete Black Stallions Of Nigeria 7s Squad:

Azeez Olanrewaju (Nigeria Police RFC- Lagos)

Onor Jatto (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Ayinla Hafis (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC – Kano)

Ike Onwukanjo (UB RFC- USA)

Isaac Sani (Cowrie RFC)

Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC- Kano)

Danjuma Mshiela (Richmond RFC – UK)

Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC- UK)

Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Alfred Oche (Jos RFC- Plateau)