Cowrie Win Inaugural Champion Of NRFF Super Cup

It was an evening to remember as Cowrie RFC of Lagos won the inaugural edition of the CMB sponsored Super cup defeating Kaduna RFC by 8points to 5.

The event which was decided at the mainbowl of the National stadium, Lagos was organized by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation to determine the national club champion which features the winners of the South and Northern league.

Chidera Felix was yellow carded very early in the game for an unacceptable challenge on Cowrie’s Captain Azeez Ladipo which was an early sign of how tensed the match was going to be.

Cowrie RFC and Kaduna RFC Captian posing with the trophy before the match

Captain of Cowrie RFC, Azeez Ladipo fluffed the golden opportunity for his team to take the lead in the 1st half as he missed a penalty kick from an unlikely position.

The match could not provide a winner at the end of regulation time as the disciplined Kaduna RFC defense contained all the attacks of their opponent led by Onoru Jato.

The game went into 30 minutes extra time, after booth teams had fail to score during regulation time.

The 1st try of the day was finally scored early in the 1st half of extra time through Chidera Felix of Kaduna to give them a 5 point lead while the chance of extending their lead to 7 was thrown away with the resulting conversion missed.

Cowrie hit back moments later through John Sylvanus with a well worked try to restore parity between the evenly matched sides. Cowrie brought their experience to play as they went ahead courtesy of a penalty kick in the 2nd half through Azeez Ladipo, a result that was enough for them to win the title.

The match ended with a narrow 8-5 point win by Cowrie RFC.

Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Sport, Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye presenting the winners trophy To Cowries RFC Captain Azeez Ladipo

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Of Lagos State Governor on Sport, Mr Adeyinka Adeboye was on hand to present the trophy to Cowrie RFC of Lagos as winners of the inaugural NRFF Super Cup.

All was not lost for Kaduna as their man Chidera Felix was voted as the most valuable player of the tournament.

Speaking after the match, Cowrie RFC Captain Ladipo said: “I feel very elated, I have to give it to the boys because they did very well after being able to overturn that scary game in our favor.” “It was not easy, I have to give it to our technical team as well because we got a lot of turnover balls from the breakdown. I think that was where we won the game and in the line out.” He lauded the efforts of the NRFF for organising the Super Cup.

2016 NRFF Super Cup Trophy

In his own reaction, Coach of Kaduna RFC, Richard Raphael praised the efforts of his team as he described them as heroes after withstanding Cowrie RFC.

“It’s been long we since had a formidable game like this, the boys played even beyond my expectation because we only trained for 3 days since we are off-season, our season starts by July.”

Raphael who said he had to rally his team at the shortest notice from the NRFF believes that a brighter future awaits his team if they can continue at such enviable pace.

President of the federations, Sir Edward Fom Pam commended the generosity of Richard Raphael who is a board member of the federation, for supporting the organisers by the supplying trophies.

Cowrie crowned inaugural champion of NRFF Super Cup

Rugby Stakeholders Charts Way Forward During 2015 AGA

Rugby stakeholders yesterday gathered at the Media Centre of the National Stadium, Lagos to evaluate their 2015 score card and forge a way forward as 2016 beckons.

The Annual General Assembly chaired by the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Fom Pam had in attendance member of the NRFF executive board, club representatives from all the regions and members of the press.

At the meeting, the president lamented the non-availability of funds which really affected their 2015 projections as he urged all stakeholders to make the needed sacrifices to ensure the growth of the sport in the country.

Also present at the meeting was the main sponsor of the federation, Kelechi Mbagwu, the MD/CEO of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited.

Kelechi praised the federation for their accountability, transparency and the ability to hold firm in the face of daunting challenges in a difficult financial year for government, corporate world and individuals.

Kelechi who doubles as the Chairman, Sponsorship and Marketing Committee of the federation proposed sanctions for clubs who fail to show up at the annual AGA as he appealed to the league committee to help financially distressed clubs and regions.

Meanwhile, the Technical Director announced a get into rugby program for coaches, referees and interested members of the public who wish to participate in the sports as a referee, administrators or coach.

He stated that Sports Writers will also benefit from the training as series of seminars will be organised to help journalists have a better understanding of the game to help them in their reportage.

At the AGM, the secretary of the referees association, Muhammed Salisu was elected as the coordinator of the association while Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson was elected the secretary by the general assembly.

For the Coaches Association, former Nigerian international, Ofoha Joseph was elected as the coordinator and Samson Okeowo elected as secretary. The coordinators were charged with the task of coming up with an effective operational strategies, Odionyemma Teduse Chukwuma was appointed as the NRFF Operation’s Officer while Afolabi Oni was officially appointed as the Media Officer of the Federation.

Nigerian Rugby Football Federation sees a better 2016

With all serious-minded Federation already taking stock of 2015 and planning for 2016, the Vice President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Olatunji Fasimoye says better times await the federation next year.

Speaking over the weekend in an interactive session with journalists, he said after several meetings between the President of the Federation, Sir Edward Fom Pam and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, there are indications that the NSC will pay a better attention to rugby next year.

In his words, “The President of the federation is actually in talks with the DG and I think there is hope because the DG has shown more interest in Rugby.”

We hope by next year, they will invest more in rugby for us to take our position on the world map.

He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the new Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung considering his recent actions in office.

Fasimoye who is an astute administrator in the private sector revealed that the minister who is not up to two months in office should not be expected to perform miracles immediately as there is need for him to consult with likeminded stakeholders before making moves.

Tunji Fasimoye – VP NRFF,

He also mentioned that the CMB Sponsored league department of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation has concluded plans to host the Super cup this December as to determine the ultimate champion for the 2014/2015 league season. With the 2014/2015 already ended and Cowrie Rugby Football Club of Lagos and Barewa RFC of Kano emerging champions of their regional leagues, there is a need to know the national champion.

Despite the venue for the annual championship not yet finalized, Abuja and Lagos are presently in the early lead to host the event.
He assured that come 2016, the leagues will kick off and with all programmes also resuming in earnest.

Independence Rugby 7s’ International Flavour Good For Home Based Boys – Fom Pam

The President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Sir. Edward Fom Pam says the fast approaching CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd sporsored Independence Rugby Sevens invitational tournament organised by the Friends of Rugby in conjunction with the federation will positively impact on the standard of the home based players.

“We have our Independence Sevens coming up, slated for October and a lot of international clubs are coming to beef up the competition.”

“Like the Western Province and other clubs coming from UK and across Africa, you know that it will beef up the intensity of your home grown players”

Cowrie RFC Captain Azeez Ladipo Receiving the winner’s Trophy from then Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Fashola

He believes the tournament which will be held between the 23rd and 24th of October at the Onikan stadium featuring foreign clubs like Accra Sharks from Ghana, Western Province of South Africa, Parakou RFC of Republic of Benin, UR7s of Kenya, Panthers International and Merlins Invitational both from the UK will definitely stretch the home based players to the limit and bring out the best in them..

According to the technical committee of the federation, the tournament will be used by the national team handlers to select players to camp ahead of the 2016 Olympics qualifiers coming up in Johannesburg in November.

“We are mixing our grassroots players with our foreign exports also known as Nigerian Exiles ahead of the Olympics qualifiers”.

Defending Champions Cowrie RFC will lead other Nigerian club sides- Barewa RFC, Kaduna RFC, Sabon Geri RFC, Jos RFC, Racing RFC, Police Machines, Gosar RFC, South South 7s and South East 7s to the 2 day competition.

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Board Meets Tomorrow

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has announced a board meeting slated for tomorrow, Tuesday, 6th of October, 2015 at the conference room of the Nigeria Olympics Committee building.

According to a release signed by the President of the Federation, Sir Edward Fom Pam, the meeting slated for 10:00am became necessary as to evaluate the progress made so far in the year and make plans for future challenges.

The meeting will focus more on the achievements recorded so far in the areas of grassroots development, capacity building, international outings of the men’s senior national team so far in 2015 and the fast approaching 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers to be held in South Africa come November.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, Fom Pam said “In line with the policy of the board, we have made it mandatory to meet regularly and chart a way forward for the sports in Nigeria as we continue to struggle with football and other sports for funds allocated to sports”.

Christian Ogar Is Emerges Best Rugby Player As CowryRFC Win South West Rugby League

Star boy of Nigeria rugby, Christian Ogar was on Saturday voted as the most valuable player and he also emerged as the highest point scorer of the South West Rugby league sponsored by CMB Building and Investment Company at the final day of the league which was held at the main bowl of the National stadium, Lagos.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie on the move

The national team player who plies his trade with Cowrie RFC of Lagos was consistent all through the season as he masterminded his team’s unbeaten run in the 2014/2015 rugby league with 36 tries, 1 try conversion and 3 penalty conversions recording a cumulative of 193 points.

Even though Cowrie RFC won the league before the league finals with accumulated points, the final against police was crucial in their quest to defend their 7 years 15’s unbeating run which was achieved with ease.

At the well-attended final league game sponsored by CMB Building and Inv. Co. Ltd, 3rd placed, Police RFC were awarded the fair play award despite losing to the champions, Cowrie RFC 22-0 in a match which could be described as fast and furious as both teams came out for the maximum points.

Ramon Bakare Police Captain being presented with the Fair play award by the MD CEO of CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co Ltd Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu

In the game which was characterised with mazy runs, pin point tackles and incisive passes, Sammy Ekpo bagged 2 tries while Dipo Olawale and Christian Ogar registered 1 try each and a conversion by Tunji Oduntan was all that was needed by Cowrie RFC to show their superiority against a very physical Police RFC side.

Meanwhile, in the first game of the day, spectators and invited guests were treated to a display of good game of rugby with both teams putting up a classy display, but the young and less experienced Royal Stallions of Ilorin side lost to Racing RFC 50-0, Racing RFC now claims the second spot on the league table and also a slot in the national playoff as the runners up of the South West Rugby Union League.

Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu the MD/CEO of the league sponsor CMB Building and Ind. Co. Ltd, and the Vice President/Technical Director of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Fasimoye Olatunji were present at the event for the award presentation.

Azeez Ladipo Cowrie Captain being presented with the throphy as champions of the SWL by the MD CEO of CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co Ltd Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu

Curtain Falls On South West Rugby League As Organisers Plans Award Ceremony

The last round of matches of the 2014/2015 South West Rugby league season sponsored by CMB Building will take place on Saturday, 29th of August at the mainbowl of the Lagos National stadium, Lagos.

According to the fixtures, 2nd placed Racing RFC will be looking at grabbing the maximum point as to consolidate their position on the log and book a place at the national playoff when they take on Royal Stallions of Ilorin who have already secured their top flight status next season.

The main battle of the day will be against a motivated Cowrie RFC side against 3rd placed Police RFC who will be desperate to win and hope that Racing will slip up in the race for the 2nd place.

SOUTH WEST RUGBY LEAGUE

Speaking ahead of the match, head coach of Cowrie RFC, Joseph Ofoha says despite having already emerged as the league champions, a victory against Police will be an icing on an already sweet cake and an avenue to avenge their 2013 final loss to Police at the Independence Sevens tournament.

The organizers while revealing the last match day schedule also revealed that immediately after the last match, there will be a brief award ceremony where cash rewards will be presented to the League winner, Most Valuable Player of the league, highest point scorer and fairplay award for the deserving team.

Cowrie RFC Crowned 2014/2015 Southwest Rugby League Champions…

Defending champion, Cowrie RFC needed just a draw to retain their title for the 4th consecutive year with Gosar RFC standing between them and the 2014/2015 South West Rugby league title, but it only took Sam Ekpo 14th minutes to register their intention as he evaded all opponents to open scoring with Azeez Ladipo converting the resulting kick to open a 7 point lead in the league sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd.

Former national team captain who doubles as a player/coach for Gosar RFC scored a brilliant penalty kick from just a little way off the half way line in the 32nd minute to reduce the deficit to 4 point, Nigerian international, Onor Jato scored another try for Cowrie RFC with usual suspect Azeez Ladipo adding another 2 points to take the scores to 14 points to 3 heading into half time.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie Rugby Club in Action

The second half was all about Nigeria Rugby speed sensation, Christian Ogar who scored 2 trys, ani Halilu and Afeez Ayinla also weighed in with a try each with Azeez Ladipo coverting 3 try conversions to ensure that the game ended 40 points to 3 in Cowrie RFC’s favor. The result sealed Cowrie RFC’s as 2014/2015 South West Rugby league champions.

In the 2nd match of the day between relegation threatened Eco II and Royal Stallions of Ilorin, the game started well as both sides settled down to play their individual patterns and it was Eco II who drew the 1st blood despite Royal Stallions dictating the play through Samson Okeowo who scored a try and registered the conversion to open up a 7 points lead for his team.

The lead never lasted for long with Royal Stallions bouncing back with a try of their own through Sunday Olawale and Ife Ibitaye converted the kick to tie the score, Samson Okeowo again scored a penalty kick for his team to give the relegation threatened Eco II a lifeline.

With little time to play in the 1st half, Samson Olawale registered his second try of the game.

Eco II RFC

Eco II’s relegation status from the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd league was confirmed with just 6 minutes into the 2nd half, as Sunday Olawale registred his 3rd try to extended their lead to 17 points to 10 with their opponents struggling to find their bearing under the light rain.

A new record was set in the South West Rugby league in the 3rd game of the day between Police RFC and Racing RFC, the game ended 0-0, the match had so much at stake with both teams battling for 2nd spot and a place in the national final playoffs.

Despite the game turning out to be interesting and tough, both sides failed to make any try or penalty conversion in the tension soaked match, this result means Police RFC still occupies the 2nd spot and Racing in 3rd, heading into the last game of the league sponsored CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd

Similarly, on Saturday, Zaria RFC hosted the famous Lilliker tournament with 4 teams competing in the 1 day championship.

In the 1st game, host Zaria RFC defeated Sabon Gari RFC by 3nil to book their place in the finals while Barewa RFC made mince of Kaduna RFC by 7 unreplied points in the second game of the championship that has witnessed a lot of improvements regarding players’ attitude and officiating.

With most people tipping Zaria RFC to win this year’s tournament as the host, it was a different ball game as Barewa RFC defeated the host 3nil to emerge the 2015 champion in front of an impressive crowd and some board members of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation

Cowrie RFC Are One Point Away From Retaining Title As Police, Racing Battle For Second Spot

Runaway South West Rugby League winner, Cowrie RFC will be crowned as the 2014/2015 season champion of CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited sponsored league this weekend if they win Gosar RFC as actions resume at the mainbowl of the National stadium.

Gosar currently forth on the table after 11 games have 29 points with 5 wins and 6 losses will provide a formidable opposition for Cowrie who will definitely be crowned league champions on Saturday if they secure a win, draw or loose within seven points as they need just a single point to seal their title for the fourth straight season.

In the second match of the day, Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin stand a good chance of winning their second match of the season when they face Eco II RFC who are still searching for their first win of the season after 11 games. With just 6 points separating the two teams at the bottom of the table and only 2 games to go, both teams will be going for broke if they are to stand any chance of escaping relegation.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie on the move

The highlight of match day 11 will definitely be between second placed Police RFC and third placed Racing RFC starting by 3:30pm, the match which will see the winner move to the second spot and brighten their chances of sealing a spot in the national playoffs holding in Abuja or Lagos later this year.

Police RFC still basking in the euphoria of their 97-0 dominant victory over Eco II RFC on match day 10 will certainly not find their opponent who are still reeling from the narrow loss to Cowrie RFC an easy nut to crack.

At the end of match day 10, Cowrie RFC winger, Christian Ogar leads the league’s scorer chart with 34 tries, 1 conversion, 2 penalty conversions, penning down 178 points in the process while Oyebola Sulymon of Police RFC is in second position with 8 tries, 33 conversions, and 4 penalty conversions penning down 118 points.

National team and Cowrie RFC captain, Azeez Ladipo is in the 3rd spot with 105 points.

South West League: Police RFC Climb To Second Place…,

The tension of a derby and top of the table clash between two Victoria Island based teams; Cowrie RFC and Racing RFC provided a fascinating game of rugby, one that at a stage could have gone either way at the main bowl of the National stadium, Lagos on Saturday.

It took just 10 minutes for Onor Jatto to open the scoring for Cowrie as Christian Ogar took the responsibility of converting the kicks in the absence of inspirational captain, Azeez Ladipo who was not fielded. In what turned out to be a fast and furious game, racing responded almost immediately when centre, Festus Nwasor took advantage of a John Sylvanus error in the 27th minute and raced 50 yards for a try.

Sodiq Oduola of Cowrie RFC makes a tackle

After starting out slowly, Cowries’ speed star, Christian Ogar turned the heat on Racing RFC with two tries which prompted racing to make 2 substitutions- Chike Nwagbogu came out for Stephen Israel and veteran; Taleeb Adeniyi replaced Imeh Okon on the wing with little time remaining in the first half.

The grudge match that was described as the most tactical, exciting and “neatest” game of the day by fans and observers, resumed in the second half with the same urgency from both teams who were desperate to earn the bragging right. Christian Ogar kicked over a penalty early in the second half before Denis Clement who was a former Cowrie player replied Christian Ogar with a penalty conversion of his own.

Clement Denis scored another penalty and a drop kick point to take Racing points to 16 and his territorial kicking created a lot of problems and put Cowrie on the back foot towards the end. Cowrie defended well and held on for the double against Racing this season.

In the opening match of the day, Police RFC showed their superiority over Eco II with a 97-0 emphatic win.
Speaking after the game, captain of Police RFC, Rahmon Bakare said they actually came out for the game to overrun Eco II, but due to some silly mistakes, they could not score more as he promised that they will go back to the drawing board to perfect their tactics.

A dejected Captain of Eco II RFC, Kazeem Busari, said “We tried our best, but obviously our best was not enough due to the caliber of players at our disposal”

Meanwhile it took 18 minutes for the deadlock to be broken in the second match between Royal Stallions of Ilorin and Gosar RFC of Lagos.

It was Gosar RFC who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a breakaway try by Ezekiel Tom. Gosar further took a 12 point advantage with Dare Salami scoring another try before Sadiq Akanni redeemed himself scoring the resultant conversion after missing the first opportunity. Ife Ibiteye reduced the deficit scoring 3 points for Royal Stallions of Ilorin courtesy of a penalty kick.

Cowrie RFC in a defensive line

With the resumption of action in the second half, Salami Felix made a try for Gosar RFC in the 48th minute despite Royal Stallions proving a hard nut to crack and Sodiq Akanni scored the resulting kick as the match ended 19 points to 3 against Royal Stallions RFC.

Olatunbosun Plays Up Cowrie/Racing Rugby Football Club Rivalry

Ahead of this weekend’s clash between Racing Rugby Football Club and Cowrie RFC in the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited/ South West Rugby league, Head coach of Racing, Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson has boasted that his team is always ready to come against any team.

Speaking after their evening training session on Wednesday, the ex-coaching coordinator for grassroots development, Lagos said Racing has a reputation to protect because they are the best rugby club in the country despite Cowries doing very well with couple of points clear on top of the South West league table after an impressive start to the season.

“I believe that with the spirit in camp plus our recent game pattern and records, we should be able to get a surprise win against Cowrie RFC on Saturday.”

Although many people describe our recent form as “medicine after death” but we want to maintain our second spot on the table and play in the national finals taking place in Abuja later this year.

He lamented the elongation of the 2014 league calendar which spilled into 2015 due to the breaks that normally comes in with mixing up international events with the domestic ones but acknowledged that the board is doing a great job.

Racing Fly half; Ekpo Williams in action during a South West Rugby league game

“I must give thumbs up to the NRFF Technical Director Tunji Fasimoye for the great job he is doing as per the South West Rugby league, and I think he is doing exceptionally well”

In other matches to be played on Saturday, third placed team, Police RFC will take on Eco II RFC while fourth placed Gosar RFC of Ajegunle will hope to fend off the surge of fifth placed Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin.

South West Rugby League Resumes As Three Matches Take Center Stage

South West League coordinator Olatunji Fasimoye has announced that the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited sponsored League will resume its final round of matches on the 1st of August. Teams have swung into action as they intensify preparation in their quest to improve and consolidate their positions on the log with three games remaining.

After weeks of break occasioned by the National Team engagements which were primarily prosecuted by predominant home based players which saw the Black Stallions book a place in the 50th edition of the All Africa Games in Congo and the Olympic qualifiers ticket in South Africa later in the year, Fasimoye expressed optimism that with the experience gathered by the players after mixing with their foreign based counterparts, the last 3 sets of matches promises to be explosive with a lot of technical and tactical improvements.

Hafis Ayinla of Cowrie RFC Breaking a Tackle at SWL Fixtures agains Eco II RFC

Three matches will be played at the National Stadium main bowl on the 1st of August starting at 11:00 am.

Third placed team, Police RFC will take on Eco II RFC whom is still searching for their first win this season. Fourth placed Gosar RFC of Ajegunle will hope to fend off the surge of fifth placed Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin in the second match and the last match will be an explosive encounter between Victoria Island rivals; table topping Cowrie RFC parading the likes of Christian Ogar, Onoh jato and Azeez Ladipo against Racing RFC who are second on the log tutored by Ayo Olatunbosun. Racing will be looking for a revenge after Cowrie scored four tries on their way to a 26 – 8 victory in the first leg.

Cowrie RFC is a breakaway faction of Racing RFC in 2005 and has since dominated the rugby scene in the country.

Lagosians are enjoined to come all out and support the league on the 1st of August.

Please find attached for pix, League Fixture, League Log Table and League Scorer Chart.