Nigeria’s senior national rugby team, The Stallions, are set to depart for Tunisia on 15 December, ahead of the 2024 Africa Cup XVs (repechage), Afrosport reports.
It is important to recall that earlier this month, the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) released the final 28-man squad for the tournament, which is scheduled to run from 16-23 December in Tunisia.
Head coach Steve Lewis, who is poised for the tournament, said: “It will be Nigeria’s first competitive 15-a-side game since 2019, and the team is hoping to make a big return to the international scene when they travel to Tunisia.”
The Stallions drawn in Pool A, will face the hosts in the first semifinal, while Ghana will battle Zambia with the final and third place matches to follow.
The winner of Pool A will progress to a winner-takes-all final against Morocco, who won Pool B last month.
The overall winner will emerge as champions of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup (XVs) Repechage, and earn a spot in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.
Nigeria’s Final Squad for the 2024 Africa Cup
Forwards
1. Oghenetejiri Ajuchi (Prop) – Barnes Rfc – UK
2. Ford Oladele Ayodele (Prop)- Richmond RFC – UK
3. Taiwo Olagunju (Prop) – Dallas Men’s Rugby
4. Quadri Kolawole (Prop) – Cowrie Rfc
5. Sunday Bassey (Prop) – Cowrie Rfc
6. Iyintosofoluwa Kolawole (Prop/Lock)- Racing Rfc
7. Ibrahim Suraj (Hooker) – Barewa Rfc
8. Julius Godwin (Hooker) – Barewa Rfc
9. Babajide Adekunle Tunde (Lock) – Southend Saxons Rfc –
10. Arinze Okemuo (Lock) – RUMS Rfc
11. Blaise Felix (Backrow-) – Alberton Rugby Club
12. Akeem Yusuf (Backrow) – Cowrie Rfc
13. Frederick Henry-Ajudua (Backrow) – ATL OLD White Rfc
14. Oluwadara Odunlami (Backrow) – IBC
15. Liberty Enowa (Backrow) – Delta State Rugby
16. Williams Tyover Malu (Backrow) – Nigeria Police
Backs
17. Anthony Tuoyo Egodo (Center) – Birmingham Moseley
18. Jamiu Mohammed Ibrahim (Scrumhalf) – Kwara Dynamite Rfc
19. Alex Onyeahasi (Flyhalf) – Clifton Rfc
20. Isa Omale (Scruhalf) – Barewa Rfc
21. Jonathan Ilori (Center) – Esher Rfc
22. Isaiah Akpovwa (Wing/Fullback) – Blackheath Rfc
23. Christian Williams Friday (Flyhalf/Fullback) – Barewa Rfc
24. Monday Omorogieva (Fullback/Scrumhalf) – Racing Rfc
25. Stephen Kiki Suru (Center) – Eco II Rfc
26. Aliu Auwal (Wing/Fullback) – Edo State Rugby
27. Samuel Akpabio (Winger) – Barewa Rfc
28. Matthew Ilube (Flyhalf) – Old Priorians Rfc
Management:
Steve Lewis – Head Coach:
Vinnie Berrington – Assistant Coach
Dr Bukola Bojuwoye – Team Doctor
Azeez Ladipo – Team Manager
