Day two of the 2014 African 7’s Championship saw The Black stallions of Nigeria loose their final group game to Uganda 28-10 in an energy sapping game, this result saw the team dropping to the bowls finals where the team eventually lost to Botswana in the semi finals.
The Black Stallions of Nigeria having lost to Botswana eventually finished in the eleventh position at the Africa Rugby Sevens Tournament by virtue of their 24-21 Victory Over Ivory Coast.
Handlers of the Team have promised to more in the area of Conditioning and “high performance training” for the local rugby players as this was one aspect of the game that affected the team the most.
The Black Stallions will depart Zimbabwe venue of the CAR Africa 7’s Championship via South Africa today and are expected back in Lagos at about 8:00pm Nigerian Time.
Meanwhile the south African Rugby 7’s team have the CAR Africa Rugby sevens trophy after they defeated Kenya in the Cup Final.
At the end of day 1 of proceedings at the championship, Nigeria played 4 games in the group widely referred to by many as ” the group of death” recording one win and 3 losses against african rugby’s power houses.
The Black Stallions battled hard against Zimbabwe despite the massive support enjoyed by the home team.
Nigeria Rugby 7’s team the Black Stallions
The Fabian Juries tutored lads fought hard but were so unlucky as they lost by 19 to 26 against the host nation. This was the Nigerian Team’s first match experience after 2 weeks of intense camping, the team led by Azeez Ladipo caused an upset as they romped to a 28-0 win over Ivory Coast in the second game despite many observers and keen followers not giving the Nigerian team a chance.
After expending so much energy in the 2nd game, the team fell to Kenya by 38points, then later suffered another 49points loss to Namibia.
Speaking after the end of day one of the tournament, Technical Adviser of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Dele Coker said “it is encouraging to see the home based players compete well against top African Nations which justifies the federation’s resolve to stick with home grown players and give them the necessary exposure.
Nigeria Rugby 7’s team the Black Stallions in action
“He further affirmed that there is hope for rugby in Nigeria as the home based players proved that if well groomed and nurtured they can be a force to reckon with in Africa and beyond, despite the limited time to train coupled with limited international experience as the team exhibited true courage and understanding of the game.
The competition enters day 2 today as Nigeria will face Uganda in the last match of pool A, the outcome of which will determine if Nigeria will compete for the plate or bowl.
Ex-Springbok 7’s talisman ‘’Fabian Juries’ will arrive Lagos on the 30st October 2014 for the Independence 7’s in Lagos in a bid to promote the game of rugby in Nigeria, the Ex-Springbok speed star is IRB Sevens highest try scorer in South Africa and 13th in the world.
He is expected to help with officiating in the tournament and prepare the Nigerian national team the ‘Black Stallions’ for the African Sevens Championship in Zimbabwe in November 2014.
Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu CEO CMB Building who also doubles as also the chairman of Friends of rugby, a major supporter and sponsor of independence rugby sevens from its inception in 2009 Said: “We are glad that one of the top rugby sevens player in the world will be in Nigeria to support the development of the sport and the tournament, his presence will also help motivate the home based players, he further reported that preparations is ongoing to ensure we have a great tournament, and also to ensure we further harness the opportunities embedded therein”.
Fabian Juries, photo sport24.co.za
Nigeria has a population of over 150 million; we are also naturally built for Rugby. If properly harnessed, Rugby can become our number one sport in the country”. The real estate veteran who is an ex rugby player further stressed that the game of rugby is the greatest team sport ever, it teaches discipline, respect and he expects the game to spread fast into all schools in the country.
This year’s Independence 7’s will be held at the Onikan Stadium, Onikan, Lagos on the 31st of October and 1st of November 2014.
Danie Gerber is not a name many Nigerians will be familiar with. After all rugby is still a fringe sport in Nigeria and the last time he played on the international fields was over 20 years ago. But for many rugby aficionados he is still considered among the best to ever pull on a rugby jersey.
Danie Gerber, photo credit Rugbyfancast.com
Perhaps his finest hour came near the end of his career when in 18 blistering minutes he blitzed England scoring a hat-trick of tries playing outside South Africa’s first ever black player Errol Tobias at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Gerber’s outright pace, strength and illusiveness made him a terror for any defence earning him a coveted spot in the International Rugby Board’s Hall of Fame.
Next week Gerber will share some of his enormous depth of experience with the best of Nigeria’s young players when he visits Lagos as a guest of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation.
Gerber will work with players at the National Stadium in Surulere to help the Black Stallions (Nigeria’s national team) prepare for the Africa Cup Sevens in Kenya in November.
Gerber’s visit to Nigeria alongside another Springbok great, Breyton Paulse, is being made possible by South African Airways who are sponsoring the cost of their travel.
Paulse will be addressing a gala dinner at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, on Wednesday.
Confederation of African Rugby, Confédération Africaine de Rugby,
The Africa Cup 1C Rugby tournament came to an end on Saturday in Gaborone, Botswana, with a bang as the Black Stallions took third position on the Log despite suffering a “heavy” defeat at the hands of Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.
Playing in the opening game of the final day of the tournament the Black Stallions lost 86-10 to Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.
Nigeria scored first from set play which allowed Christian Ogar race away for a try within 5 minutes.
The South African Cell C cup champions, Impala dominated the game afterwards. The game was a good experience for Black Stallions, “we gave them the toughest game of their tournament|” said Nigeria’s Azeez Ladipo.
Meanwhile, Mauritius whitewashed Swaziland in the second game 134-0 while Zambia lost to Botswana 14-66.
POSITIVES
NIGERIA’S NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM-THE BLACK STALLIONS
Three Nigerian players were rewarded for their respective “man of the match” performance in all three matches. The trio of Christian Ogar against Zambia, Azeez Ladipo against Swaziland and Isaac Sani against Impala received their awards and commendation at the Tournaments closing Gala on Saturday night.
This is the first outing for the home based boys in the African Cup 1C division and it is a great exposure for them, it is believed that this experience will have a positive impact on the NRFF’s grassroots developmental plan.
Nigeria scored nine times as a number of players laid impressive markers in a 61-10 victory over Swaziland in Gaborone, Botswana on Wednesday.
Back line; Christian Ogar, Azeez Ladipo, Yusuf Oyeyemi, Oladipo Olawale, Samson Yahaya and Dozie Dinobi all raced home, while the efforts of forwards; Azeez Olanrewaju, Emmanuel Godwin, Hafis Ayinla and Abubakar Yakubu will not have gone unnoticed as Nigeria claimed their first victory at the on-going Africa Rugby Cup 1C.
The Black Stallions battled a highly spirited Swaziland team at the UBC Stadium.
Christian Ogar opened scoring with a well worked try which saw and over 10 passes made before he touched down for a try.
Azeez Ladipo converted 8 out of 9 tries and also got a try for himself. Swaziland later scored one try which was well converted.
Meanwhile Mauritius beat Zambia 54-17 in the second game of the day while Impala Rustenburg from South Africa whitewashed host Botswana 54-9 to end a day of fantastic rugby.
Nigeria will now meet the South Africa’s Cell C community cup champions Impala Rustenburg who replaced Morocco in their last game on Saturday.
At the completion of all the matches, the Teams are ranked one through six based on their cumulative Match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner-up, third, fourth, five and six
Black Stallions Captain Azeez Ladipo introduces players to dignitories
After match day 1 in the African Cup 1C, in Gaborone, Botswana, the Black Stallions of Nigeria lost to Zambia by 20-30. The game which was tagged the match of the day by commentators and rugby fans saw the Black Stallion forwards impose themselves on the Zambians but the back line could not contain them.
The Zambians drew first blood in the early stage of the game with two tries, the black stallions found their rhythm and retaliated with two tries by Christian Ogar and Fasimoye olatunji.
Nigeria fly half, Azeez Ladipo traded penalties with the Zambian fly half to keep the game level 13-13 at half time.
The Zambians dominated early in the second half of the game trenching the Back Stallions back line which paid off with a try.
Azeez ladipo launched an attack by setting up Samson Yahaya for another try to draw level at 20-20. The Zambians nicked it in the final third with 2 late tries to end the game at 30-20.
Other games saw Impala defeat Mauritius. 67 – 17 and Bostwana demolished Swaziland 87 – 0.
Speaking after the game Fasimoye olatunji said that “It was not a bad game for a new team, and that the players are now determined to go on to do well in subsequent games.
The Black Stallions will now take on Swaziland on Wednesday 18th June 2014 in their second game of the African Rugby Cup IC.
The Black Stallions which consists of predominantly home based players are confident that they will make the country proud.
As the Black Stallions depart for Gaborone, Botswana for the Africa Rugby Nations Cup 1C, All 22 players and 2 officials will also be accompanied by the Technical Director/Vice President and the President of NRFF.
The Nigerian Rugby Team will board a South African Airways flight by 10:25pm today Thursday the 12th of June to South Africa en-route Botswana, The tournament is scheduled to hold for ten days where our own “Black stallions” will play three games as listed below;
Black Stallions of Nigeria training
Sunday 15th June 2014
Nigeria Vs Zambia
Wednesday 18th June 2014
Nigeria Vs Swaziland
Saturday 21th June 2014
Nigeria Vs Impala Rustenburg (replaced Morocco)
At the completion of all the matches, the Teams are ranked one through to six based on their cumulative Match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner-up, third, fourth, five and six.
The Nigeria National Rugby Union Team The Black stallions represents Nigeria in the sport of Rugby.
The team has so far not been able to qualify for a Rugby World Cup, but has however competed in a few qualifying tournaments. Our greatest success as a team came during the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, where we beat Mauritius 63-3 in group 1C.
Nigeria is currently ranked 79th in the world by the IRB (2 July 2013). Our previous ranking was 91st in the world prior to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup. And a very good outing in Gaborone will see our rankings improve and possibly a promotion to an higher category in African Rugby
Nigeria Rugby Football Federation
List of players and officials representing Nigeria in the African Cup 1C
1 Bassey Sunday – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
2 Samuel Olatunde Joseph – Royal Stallion RFC, Ilorin – Player
3 Musa Ibrahim Suaibu – Kaduna RFC, – Player
4 Ogbole Felix Gabriel – Kaduna RFC, Kaduna – Player
5 Alaeto Obinna Festus – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
6 Solomon Friday – Zaria RFC, Kaduna – Player
7 Sani Isaac – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
8 Olanrewaju Azeez Abiodun – Nigeria Police RFC – Player
9 Yakubu Abubakar – Sabongeri RFC, Kaduna – Player
10 Godwin Emmanuel Chibundu – Sabongeri RFC, Kaduna – Player
11 Ayinla Hafis Adedamola – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
12 Zaria Asa A – DRC Phoenix, Gronegen, Holland- Player
13 Bakare Ramon Ishola – Nigeria Police RFC – Player
14 Peter Okere Ambrose – Jos RFC – Player
15 Ladipo Azeez Olaitan – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
16 Samson Yahaya Didam – Nigeria Police RFC – Player
17 Oyeyemi Yusuf Bolatunji – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
18 Dinobi Chiedozie Nzubechukwuka – Cobham Rugby Club, UK – Player
19 Ogar Christian Innocent – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
20 Enajeroh Eseoghene – Warri RFC, Delta – Player
21 Olawale Oladipo michael – Cowrie RFC, Lagos – Player
22 Oyebola Sulyman Olawale – Nigeria Police RFC – Player
NRFF technical team names a predominant home-based 22-man squad to hit closed camp ahead of the Africa Cup 1c Rugby Tournament to be held in Gaborone, Botswana where Nigeria’s “Black Stallions” will compete with Botswana, Morrocco, Zambia, Mauritius and Swaziland from the 13th– 22nd of June 2013. NRFF Technical Director, Fasimoye Olatunji insists that the “Black Stallions” will be motivated and believes the boys can go ahead to win the tournament in front of a tough crowd in Gaborone. “We have carefully selected our best hands based on merit. These players have proven themselves in the on-going South-West and Northern leagues and are fit enough for the task ahead.
The 2014 Africa Cup will be the fourteenth edition of the Africa Cup, an annual international rugby union tournament for African nations organised by the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR). This tournament, as well as the 2012 and 2013 editions of it, will serve as the qualifiers for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
FULL TEAM LIST NRFF
1 BASSEY SUNDAY COWRIE RFC, Lagos
2 SAMUEL OLATUNDE JOSEPH ROYAL STALLION RFC, Ilorin
3 MUSA IBRAHIM SUAIBU KADUNA RFC, Kaduna
4 OGBOLE FELIX GABRIEL KADUNA RFC, Kaduna
5 ALAETO OBINNA FESTUS COWRIE RFC, Lagos
6 SOLOMON FRIDAY ZARIA RFC, Kaduna
7 SANI ISAAC COWRIE RFC, Lagos
8 OLANREWAJU AZEEZ ABIODUN NIGERIA POLICE RFC
9 YAKUBU ABUBAKAR SABONGERI RFC, Kaduna
10 GODWIN EMMANUEL CHIBUNDU SABONGERI RFC, Kaduna
11 AYINLA HAFIS ADEDAMOLA COWRIE RFC, Lagos
12 ZARIA ISA A DRC PHOENIX, Gronegen, Holland
13 BAKARE RAMON ISHOLA NIGERIA POLICE RFC
14 PETER OKERE AMBROSE JOS RFC
15 LADIPO AZEEZ OLAITAN COWRIE RFC, Lagos
16 SAMSON YAHAYA DIDAM NIGERIA POLICE RFC
17 OYEYEMI YUSUF BOLATUNJI COWRIE RFC, Lagos
18 DINOBI CHIEDOZIE NZUBECHUKWUKA COBHAM RUGBY CLUB, UK
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