The Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Fasimoye Olatunji has assured that the senior National Team will not leave anything to chance when they file out against Mauritius. Mauritius lost by 62 points to 3 against Morrocco at the ongoing 2019 pre-world cup qualifiers. “We already know that Morrocco is a tough side, […]
via We Won’t Underestimate Mauritius- Fasimoye — newfanzoneblog
Belhar RFC added another trophy to its shelf this weekend by winning the Darling 7s while Christian Ogar scored a total of 14 tries to emerge the tournament’s MVP.
The Darling 7s which featured 32 teams and which was staged in Cape town South Africa as one of the pre-season 7s tournaments in South Africa was a perfect avenue for the speed star to exhibit why he is referred to as the ‘Star Boy’, Belhar RFC cruised to the final of the tournament defeating Kuilriver RFC by 24 points to 5 in the semi final and later grabbed the victory in the final trouncing the host Darling RFC by 34 points to 7.
The head coach of Belhar RFC 7s Bronson Weir who won the 2012 Africa 7s championship with Kenya as their head coach and also doubles as a consultant to South Africa 7s, expressed his delight while also acknowledging that Ogar is a rare talent.
Speaking after the game Weir said: “Chris seems to have settled after last week’s tournament, I started him this week and worked on a few individual skills, he made new mates and supporters happy to have him here, I must confess, he is a rare talent and we are happy to have him with us, we will take a break from 7s as we begin the 15s season on the 20th of February’.
Ogar also reacted after the game: ‘I am happy that things are working out good for me even though I never anticipated it will be this quick, I have to thank my coach for his support, patience and the technical inspiration he is passing on to me and also my team mates for accommodating me, I will like to dedicate this laurel to my team back home Cowrie RFC, NRFF President Sir’ Fom Edward Pam, my mentors Mr Kelechkwu Mbagwu and Mr Dele Coker, my coach back home Joseph Ofoha popularly known as Bagio, and lastly NRFF Technical Director Fasimoye Olatunji for giving me this rare opportunity’.
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has made public her 2016 calendar of activities on 5th of February, and Some of the programs are listed below:
LEAGUES
The Regional leagues which consists of the North Central, North West, South South/East and the South West league will kick off in March and April respectively.
The Super Cup determines who the National Champions are. And it will be held in November
AFRICA CUP
The African Cup 1C is the pre-qualifier for The 2019 Rugby World cup. This year’s tournament will be staged in Casablanca, Morocco in June. Participating teams in the qualifier includes Mauritius, Morocco, Cameroon and Nigeria.
The African Cup 7s will feature 12 African countries, such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Madagascar, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria, the tournament will be held in September in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Nigeria Sevens season will open from July till November. several sevens tournament will be held across the country in this period. The tournaments include: Liliker 7s Zaria, Independence 7s Lagos, Plateau Invitational 7s, President Cup Lagos and the proposed Niger Delta 7’and Eastern 7s.
OTHERS
Other events reflected in the calendar include Coaching and referee courses schedule to hold in the second quarter of the year. The GIR developmental program will run through the year and lastly, the schools and female rugby festival with dates yet to be determined.
Speaking with the Technical Director of the federation Fasimoye Olatunji, He said the year is going to be a very busy one for the federation and its athletes, ‘ As you can see from the list of programs, it is going to be our busiest year thus far and it will also impact greatly on the development of the Rugby in Nigeria. we believe we can do more if giving adequate support from private organizations but we will like to thank Mr Kelechukwu Mbagu the Chairman of Friends of Rugby who has been using his company CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited to support all the activities of the federation’.
The Vice President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Olatunji Fasimoye has announced that the federation will come up with its calendar for 2016 by next week.
According to him, the federation had to wait for its mother body which is Rugby Africa before coming out with its own for the sake of synergy.
“Already as it is, we already have our internal plans and we just got the plans of Rugby Africa last week.”
Speaking further, he said “What we are trying to do is to integrate both plans, so that we can come up with our calendar.”
He assured that by early next week, “our calendar Would be revealed to the general public.”
Fasimoye also hinted that 2016 will see the federation focus more on grassroots development as they hope to spread the gospel of rugby in Nigeria.
“Our focus this year is actually on the development through our “Get into Rugby programme.
He hinted that the federation will start with 10 coaches who will handle at least 40 schools. “When you look at 40 schools, you have an average of 40 students., that will be a major achievement.
“Our focus this year is to see how we can further take the sports to the grassroots to start developing young athletes at a very tender age”
The Nigeria Rugby Senior National team also known as the Black Stallions will depart tomorrow, Sunday, 8th of November for Johannesburg, South Africa for the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers.
7 home based players and 4 officials will depart Lagos from the Murtala Muhammed aboard a Kenyan Airways flight by 12:40pm Sunday 2015.
The delegation will be led by President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Edward Pam Fom alongside the Vice President, Fasimoye Olatunji, Bandele Coker (Technical Adviser) and Bukola Bojuwoye (Team Doctor) as part of the delegation.
Meanwhile, Head coach, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the team on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers on 14th & 15th of November 2015.
Speaking after their last training session on Saturday, the Technical Director of the Federation, Tunji Fasimoye revealed his optimism that the team will do well and might probably surprise the World.
He thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co. Ltd for their unflinching support in making sure that funds were provided for the federation to facilitate their trip.
In his words, Fasimoye said, “Special kudos must go to Kelechi Mbagwu, Chairman, CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited for his support.”
“We went to Zambia for the Cup 1C and Togo for the pre-Olympics qualifiers earlier this year with little or no support from the National Sports Commission, CMB came to our rescue and provided the necessary financial backing to make it possible”.
“Months after our trip to Togo, here we are about to travel to South Africa, nothing from the NSC once again. If not for CMB, this trip would not have been possible”
Nigeria has been drawn in Pool B, alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia. Zimbabwe are favorites to advance from 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)
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.
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)
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”
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.
The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation in conjunction with Friends of Rugby have finally announced Friday, 23rd and Saturday, 24th of October as dates for this year’s International Independence Rugby Sevens taking place at the Onikan stadium, Lagos.
According to information made available by the tournament manager, Fasimoye Olatunji, this decision was made after majority of the foreign teams complained about the original date stressing that traveling immediately after the tournament may not be good enough.
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 are all expected to arrive on Thursday 22nd with all visas related issues already sorted out.
Last year’s winner, Cowrie RFC will lead clubs like Barewa RFC, Kaduna RFC, Sabon Geri RFC, Jos RFC, Racing RFC, Police Machines, Gosar RFC, South South 7s and South East 7s to repel foreign invasion in their quest to retain the title in Nigeria.
Organizers of the Independence Sevens Rugby Tournament have postponed the event by two weekends. The tournament will now hold on October 24th – 25th 2015 at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
“We believe this will give the foreign teams ample time to sort all pending visa issues and everyone will be availed the opportunity to participate and make this tournament a memorable one” says tournament manager; Mr Fasimoye Olatunji.
The tournament is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. The tournament started in 2009, organized by “Friends of Rugby” and has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in West Africa.
The 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana giving the tournament the much needed International flavour. However, The 2014 tournament had in attendance the Executive Governor of Lagos State who handed over the trophy to eventual winners; Cowrie RFC.
This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better as we welcome The DHL Western Province 7s team from South Africa plus more club sides from Europe and West Africa.
Few days after organisers of the 50th edition of the All Africa games decided to yank off Rugby from the games, Multisport Team wear brand Samurai Sportswear has unveiled an exciting new partnership package with the Nigeria Rugby Foorball Federation.
According to the deal, the global sport brand will act as the official kit supplier to the Nigeria 7s team for the next one year subject to extension.
This is coming as a big boost for the Black Stallions who are currently in contention for the 2016 Olympic Games qualifications.
According to the deal signed with the NRFF, the eye catching jerseys will be worn during the Africa 7s Tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa in November which doubles as qualifiers for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.
According to Samurai sportswear, the shirt design will draw heavy inspiration from the Nigerian flag.
Speaking during the official signing, a delighted vice president of the federation, Fasimoye Olatunji, said this came as a relief after the recent AAG disappointment and an indication that the recent milestones being recorded by the sport in Nigeria is not going unnoticed.
Black Stallion 7s players will be wearing Samurai’s advanced Iconix™ shirts Engineered exclusively by Samurai to provide elite athletes with the ultimate sports garment. The unique Iconix™ fabric sculpts the body increasing circulation to improve muscle recovery. It’s high modulus extension works in harmony with the body to enhance dynamic movements with a muscle defining fit.
The Performex™ fabric has superb moisture management and breathability functions to keep the body cool and dry through channeling sweat away.
The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Pam Fom has expressed surprise at the last minute removal of the sport from events to feature at the 2015 All Africa Games scheduled for Congo next year.
Having already qualified for the games at the qualifiers in faraway Togo, Pam Fom wondered why the organisers allowed participating teams to waste their time and resources to prepare and play the qualifiers when there was no concrete plan for the sport which is fast becoming popular in Africa.
In the same vein, the federation’s Vice President and Technical Director, Fasimoye Olatunji, described the exclusion of the sport from the 50th edition of the AAG as a devastating blow for the federation after their 2012 Commonwealth games exclusion on the insistence of the National sports commission and the Nigeria Olympics Commission despite their qualification.
Fasimoye said the federation saw the AAG participation as a proper avenue to prepare for the 2016 Olympics games qualifiers in South Africa later this year and also as a launch pad for the Black Stallions on the international scene.
He finally appealed to all stakeholders who were looking out for the national team‘s participation at the games never to give up over what he described as a “minor setback” in the wheel of progress of the sport in Nigeria promising that nothing will stop the federation from repositioning Rugby in the country.
Azeez Ladipo’s penalty and Onoru Jatto’s try in the first half was all the Black Stallions could pull off as host-Zambia pulled off a 15points to 8 over the senior national team of Nigeria at the Africa Rugby cup 1C cup.
Zambia scored 2 tries in the first half and kicked over a penalty as the score stood at 12-8 at half time.
The second half was tight for both teams but Zambia managed to kick another penalty over for another 3 points.
Reacting after the game, NRFF technical director; Fasimoye Olatunji expressed concerns over some questionable calls made by the referee in favor of the host who were desperate to host to win and gain promotion into the 1B division.
He submitted that the team will have to come all out against Zimbabwe on Wednesday if they are to step up to Cup 1B.
The federation is still awaiting Rugby Africa’s decision’s after a formal complaint was made over Zambia Rugby Union’s decision to appoint a referee from Kenya and touch judges and match commissioner from Zambia for the match against the Black Stallions.
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