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)

Three Foreign Based Players Called Up To Nigeria Rugby Sevens Squad

Richmond RFC winger Danjuma Mshelia and Gravesend RFC scrumhalf, Temitope Okenla has been called up to the Black Stallions Sevens squad for The All Africa Games and Olympics pre-qualifiers in Lome, Togo next month.

Both players play in the UK and were involved in the Black Stallions team back in 2013 at the Mombasa Sports Club, Kenya when Nigeria reached the plate semi finals at The CAR 7s in which Danjuma scored a try against Kenya Shujaa and helped Nigeria reach the plate semi final in the Tournament.

Black Stallions 7s at the CAR 7s 2014 held in Zimbabwe

The NRFF had earlier extended an invite to University at Buffalo junior; Ike Onwukanjo who holds dual United States and Nigerian citizenship.

The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation has been looking for overseas players eligible to compete_ for Nigeria as a way to boost their efforts to qualify for the Rio Olympics and are happy to have Danjuma and Temitope back in the team.

Nigeria will face Ghana, Morrocco, Cote d’ Ivoire, Mali and host Togo in the Tournament to be held on Saturday, 6th June 2015.

Ike Onwukanjo University of Buffalo Rugby player received his call up earlier
photo credit University at Buffalo Rugby Fan Page

Togo 2015 ITF/CAT C’ship:Nigeria’s Quadre Causes Upsets, Moves Into Semis

Oyinlomo Quadre maintained her impressive form at the ongoing ITF/CAT African Junior U16 Championship holding in Togo by beating Grace Bougre of Cote d’Ivoire 6-2, 6-0 to move into the quarterfinal of the girls U14 of the five nation tournament.

Quadre, who on Wednesday took gold in the first phase of the girls U12 singles, showed no stage fright as she defeated her much older opponent hitting series of winners as the concluding phase of the tournament gets underway at the Stade Omnisports, Lome on Thursday.

Although she is still eligible to play in the U12, Quadre was entered for the U14 in order to make more points which would see her making it to the forthcoming Africa Junior Championship Masters later this year.

However, Quadre was to taste defeat moments later when her tag with Venus Ubiebi lost to Chelsea Agaounga and Carmene Kpadonou of Benin in the doubles of the U14. Ubiebi had earlier lost to Kpadonou in the U14 singles.

A mixed day of fortunes for Nigeria saw Toyin Asogba defeating Grace Sapoude of Cote d’Ivoire 6-2, 6-2 in the girls U12 singles while in the boys’ singles, Mathew Abamu defeated Alexandre Santos of Benin 6-1, 6-0.

Asogba who paired with Quadre in the girls’ U12 doubles in the first phase, is in line for another doubles’ gold as she partnered Sadjo Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire to beat Ivorian duo of Sapoude and Minet Linbell 6-1, 6-0 to qualify for the semifinal.

Nigeria’s coach Abel Ubeibi lauded the performance of the Nigerian players declaring that the team are aiming to better their performance in the first phase where Nigeria won three gold medals.

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Announces AAG And 1C Cup Dates

The Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation; Olatunji Fasimoye has announced their plans for the All Africa Games Qualifiers in Lome between the 6th and 7th of June which will be followed by the Africa Cup 1C in Lusaka, Zambia between 22nd and 27th of the same month.

Speaking in Lagos, he reiterated the federations resolve to qualify the nation for the AAG through early and adequate preparation as the NRFF will commence players call up for the Black Stallions 7s and 15s squads in April.

“As the Technical Director of Nigerian Rugby, I want the best 7s and 15s players in the country putting that jersey on whenever it’s available,”

Black Stallion – Nigeria Rugby National Team

Fasimoye said the federation has reassured all eligible players based home and abroad that the Technical department will work with the Black Stallions’ Technical crew to get the best representation for the country on the field.

The former national team player agreed that players’ morale can be dampened through questionable selection processes, he promised that the final team list will be solely based on current form and merit.
Selection of players for camp will begin in April as call up letters will go to the right players including our overseas based players.

The Federation directed that overseas players interested in playing for Black Stallions should visit the NRFF website http://www.nigeriarugbyunion.com and contact the technical team regarding their availability for the national team assignment on info@nigeriarugbyunion.com as air tickets and hotel accommodation will be provided for invited players.

Nigeria Leads In ITF/CAT Tourney In Togo…,Russian-Born Melissa Lands In Egypt

Nigeria’s dominance of junior tennis in the West and Central Africa Zone continued yesterday as the country won three gold medals in the ongoing ITF/CAT U14 & U16 Championship holding at the Stade Ominsports in Lome, Togo.
Oyinlomo Quadri, who is the zone’s top rated player in the girls’ U12, justified her rating by beating Dotsie Vania of Togo 6-3, 61 in the final while Mathew Abamu edged Sadiq Noudgbessi of Benin Republic 6-3, 4-6, 7 -6 (4) in the boys’ U12 to seal Nigeria’s second gold of the day.

The icing of the cake for Nigeria, who is led by coach Abel Ubiebi, came when Quadre paired Toyin Asogba, a debutante for Nigeria at international level; to beat the combination of Cameroun’s Wamba Patricia and Dotse Vania of Cote d’Ivoire 6-2, 6-2 in the girls U12 doublesof the two-phased tournament featuring six countries namely Nigeria, Togo Benin, Mali Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroun.

Melissa Ifidzhen

Meanwhile, Melissa Ifidzhen, the Russian-born new Nigeria tennis star becomes the first player to arrive for the ITF/CAT U18 Championship holding from April 6-10 in Cairo, Egypt.

Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa confirmed the 16-year-old star- prospects arrival for the tournament which will be featuring over 80 participants from over 20 countries across Africa.

“Melissa’s dad just called me and he informed me that that he is now in Cairo alongside her daughter. This is the first time she will be coming to Africa to play and her early arrival is for her to acclimatize. I spoke with her and she is eager to make a very good outing in her first outing as a Nigerian player,” Ndanusa stated.

Togo 2015 ITF Junior Circuit: Nigeria Clinches Top Place With 4 Gold, 1 Silver

Nigeria have emerged the overall winners of the first phase of the 2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Circuit holding in Togo with 4 gold and 1 silver medals.

At the Stade Ominsport, Lome on Wednesday, Nigeria started with a setback as Martins Abamu fell to Togo’s Antione Gbadoe 6-2, 6-3 in the Boy’s 16&U category but Michael Oshewa restored the nation’s pride when he triumphed with a 6-3, 7-5 over Ehaya Isaac of Cote d’Ivoire.

Oshewa’s feat sparked off the winning spirit of the Nigerian players as Mathew Abamu, a junior sibling to Martin, bagged a resounding 6-1, 6-1 win over Sodik Nougbessi of Benin Republic while in the girls’ 16&U Adetayo Adetunji defeated No 1 seed, Joanne Celestine Abommo of Gabon 6-3,6-2. Moments after, Barakat Quadri beat Becoude Karmine of Benin 7-5, 6-4 in the girls’ 14&U final to highlight Nigeria’s dominance at the double-phase tournament which is featuring nine countries.

The final phase is scheduled to start on Thursday with no fewer than eight Nigerian players listed for action.

National junior tennis coach, Mohammed Ubale said the team is poised for a better haul of medals. He assured that some of the lapses noted in his wards play will be effectively worked on for effective performance of the players.

Nigeria, which had a rigorous five-day close camping in Lagos for the point-earning tournament, is being represented by eleven players, who are featuring in the four categories.

Togo 2015 ITF Junior Circuit: Nigerian Players Clinch Final Places In Three Events

Nigeria’s impressive run at the ongoing ITF West and Central African Circuit in Togo continued on Tuesday with three of its players securing places in the finals of the tournament which is in two categories.
In the boys 16&Under, Martins Abamu recorded a 6-4 7-5 win over Frederick Coulibaly of Benin Republic to set up a final match against Antoine Gbadoe of Togo, who on his part defeated Nigeria’s Godsgift Timibra 7-6, 7-5.

Nigeria will also be competing at the final of the girl’s 16&U as Adetayo Adetunji crushed Marie Ange of Cote d’Ivoire 6-2, 6-2 to set up a clash with Joanne Celestine of Gabon, who narrowly edged Nigeria’s Angel McCleod with 5,7, 6-4, 6-4 win in a match that lasted more than two hours.

The boy’s 14&U team shared similar fate like their colleagues in the 16&U as Michael Oshewa forced the hosts to taste another pill of defeat from a Nigerian as he defeated Togo’s Danielle Goutjinou 6-3, 6-3 but he won’t have the chance of facing his compatriot Ayoola Michael in the final following the latter’s 6-4, 6-3 lost to Ehaya Isaac of Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa in his reaction to the performance of the Nigerian players at the tournament featuring nine countries commended the team for living up to their promises to sustain Nigeria’s top ranking in the tournament.

He assured that adequate support will be given to the junior team stressing that the country’s dominance will translate to the continent’s dominance at senior level in the next few years.

Togo 2015 ITF Junior Circuit: Four Nigerian Players Qualify For Semis

Nigeria made good its promises for a memorable outing as four Nigerian players yesterday booked their places in the semifnal of the ongoing 2015 African Junior Tennis Circuit holding in Lome, Togo.

The four players are Martins Abamu, Godsgift Timibra, Adetayo Adetunji and Angel McCleod.

In the Boys 16&Under, Abamu defeated Mannou Sylvester of Benin Republic 6-2, 6-1 while Timibra defied the crowd to beat Togo’s Sewabu Jacques 6-4, 6-2.

The winning streak of Nigerian players was extended by Adetayo and McCleod who defeated opponents from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire respectively.

2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship, Lome, Togo,

National junior tennis coach, Mohammed Ubale expressed confidence in the players declaring they are unstoppable to clinch the top prize.

‘Our preparation for the championship has really helped the players. They are playing better as the tournament progresses.

Ubale, who predicted that Nigeria will be out for a repeat of their 2014 performance at the ITF tournaments, said the future of Nigerian tennis is getting brighter with promising players rising through the ranks.

Togo 2015 ITF Junior Championship: Serena, Venus Inspire Nigeria’s Holmes

Nigeria’s Lolade Holmes says she is inspired by American tennis superstars, Venus and Serena Williams and has declared intention to put up a top-class performance at the 2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship which will serve of from January 9-14 in Lome Togo.

Holmes partnered her younger sibling, Reya to take on the sisters, who have won a combined 25 singles Grand Slams, in an exhibition match in Lagos when the Williams sisters came on tour to Nigeria in October 2012.

And with the championship holding at the Stade Omnisports, Lome being the first time that she will be representing Nigeria, the 13-year-old right-hander is optimistic setting off at an ITF event on an impressive note.

“Playing with Serena and Venus Williams has inspired me a lot in tennis because it’s a great privilege to step on court with two of the greatest female players in tennis,” Holmes, born of an American father and a Nigerian mother, said after the team’s training in Lagos on Wednesday.

2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship, Lome, Togo,

Homles added, “I’m determined to put on my best to help Nigeria to be among the top countries at the tournament because I have always been looking forward to play for Nigeria.”

National junior tennis coach Mohammed Ubale also expressed confidence in the players as he projected a great outing for Nigeria.

“All the players are in good spirit. They have been playing well since we started the closed camping on Monday. We are set to go and I’m looking forward to a very good outing in Togo,” he said.

Nigeria recorded remarkable outings at ITF junior tournaments in 2014 with most of the country’s players finishing in top positions.

* you can send your feedback or original sports related stories, press release, Columns, write ups and images to fanzone.fans@gmail.com for publishing on our website http://newfanzone.com and our blog https://finixsports.wordpress.com/.

you can also follow @NewFanzone and @DemyDemo on twitter we’ll follow you right back

ITF West & Central Africa Junior Championship: Nigeria Targets Another Dominant Outing

After their splendid performances which saw them dominate most of the tournaments across the continent last year, Nigerian players will be the cynosure of all eyes as the 2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship serves off in Lome, Togo from January 9-14.

The eleven-man team, under the tutelage of Mohammed Ubale has been perfecting strategies for yet another impressive outing since the start of the week in Lagos. They are scheduled to depart for the tournament on Thursday.

2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Championship, Lome, Togo,

The players are Martins Abamu, Godsgift Timibra, Michael Ayoola, Oshewa Michael Mathew Abamu (all boys) while the girls players are Angel McCleod and Adetayo Adetunji, Oyinlola Quadri, Lolade Holmes, Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa stated that the players were chosen based on the combination of their rankings and performance in 2014.

He disclosed that the mission of the team is to consolidate on Nigeria’s outstanding performance last year.

“We are looking forward to a great tournament in Togo and by extension the whole year ahead because we want to achieve a better result than what we had last year which no doubt ranks as one of our best in recent years. Our target is to raise the bar further by posting a far more impressive result this year,” Ndanusa declared.

Nigeria started last year by dominating the West and Central African Zonal Elimination Championship held in Abuja with 12 of its players bagging the zone’s 20 slots in the African Championship held in Nairobi, Kenya.

More eye-catching performances by Nigerian players were to follow at ITF junior tournaments in Togo and Benin where, among other of his compatriots, youngster, Joseph Imeh launched himself into prominence by winning the boy’s U-18 title in Lome and he reached the final in Cotonou a week later to move up considerably on the ITF junior rankings.

Eaglets Return To Full Training In Calabar

Nigeria’s Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, resumed training at their base in Calabar on Tuesday barely hours after they returned to the country from Libreville where they lost 2-1 to their Gabonese counterparts.

The contingent, who actually left Libreville on Monday for Lome aboard ASKY Airline, breezed into Lagos in the night through neighbouring Cotonou but finally arrived Calabar midday on Tuesday aboard Arik Airlines to begin preparations in earnest for the finale qualifier against Gabon next week.

Head Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said it was important to resume training immediately in view of the enormity of the task ahead even as he enjoined the players to give their utmost best in the days.

Golden Eaglets with some officials at Dreamland Park

“I want you to put behind all that happened in Libreville because that is gone,” Amuneke said.”I want you to know that we are condemned to win our match here and you must be focused on everything we are going to do from now.

“What we demand of you is hard work and nothing but hard work; because we want you to show Gabon that you don’t need to be aided by referee to win matches.

“We believe in you and we want you to apply yourself because we are going to undergo strenuous work in the coming days as we build up towards the match,” he warned.

Meanwhile, seven players who failed to make 18-man list to Libreville have vowed to pull their socks in order to be part of the second leg encounter against Gabon.

Dr. Sam Iheanacho with the Golden Eaglets shortly before the team’s training session

“We are happy that our teammates and other officials are safely backed in Calabar but the good thing is that we too have been working even while they were away in Gabon,” stated defensive midfielder, Henry Okebugwu.”We would keep working hard and pay serious attention to the
training programs because we know the coaches would only select the best against Gabon.”

Golden Eaglets for WAFU Tourney

The Golden Eaglets are to take part in a six-nation sub-regional West African Football (WAFU) Under-17 Tournament to be held in Togo between April 19 and 27.

Hosts Togo are grouped alongside with Benin and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A while Nigeria, Niger and Mali were pooled together in Group B. Incidentally, Nigeria beat Niger and Mali on their way to glory at the 2013 UAE FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE and the tourney in Lome would be a good opportunity to test the resolve of the new team being put together by coach Emmanuel Amuneke led technical crew.

Meanwhile, Amuneke who is expected to name a provisional list of 30 players for the WAFU Tournament soon, has cleared the air on erroneous impression that players are not given adequate playing time to showcase their talents.

“We are clear about our objectives and there is a certain standard we are expecting from players even at this level,” he said. “We are doing our best to ensure that everybody is given the opportunity to show what they can do.”

The on-going screening exercise would be rounded off this weekend in order for the coaching crew to concentrate efforts on the players to be picked eventually for the WAFU Tournament.

“Of course, we are going to give opportunity to others even after the tournament in Togo; nothing is conclusive yet as we build towards the African qualifiers,” added Amuneke.