Monday, 27 June 2016

Black Stallions begin camping ahead Rugby World Cup qualifier

THE Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has called-up a 23-man list for a two-week intensive camping exercise for the country’s national rugby team, Black Stallions ahead of the pre-qualifiers for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.


The two weeks exercise under the supervision of South African born coach, Fabian Juries kicked off on Monday, 27th of June at the Main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

According to the list made available by the technical department of the federation, only two foreign based players in the persons of Christian Ogar and Okafor ThankGod both plying their trades in South Africa were invited to join their home based colleagues for the camping exercise.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Technical Director of the federation, Fasimoye Olatunji said, "Because of the standard of our league, we have been able to build our players to a standard where we believe that if we nurture them well, they can compete favorably anywhere in the world.

"We expect that all the players that we have called to camp will resume to the national stadium by 4 pm today (Monday)."

He thanked CMB Building, Investment and Maintenance Company for making the camping exercise possible and also for their unflinching support for the Sir Edward Fom Pam led NRFF as he called on other corporate bodies to partner with the federation in sponsoring the National teams for their international engagements.

The team which is expected to depart for Morocco on the 11th of July will take on Mauritius on the 13th before the all important clash with the host country, Morocco on the 16th with all games to be played at the COC stadium.

"I think it's a great deal for us because we are going to be playing a phase in the 2019 world cup qualifiers in Morocco.

Morocco being the host nation, it won't be an easy task and that is why we are trying to prepare our boys in our own little way.

For Morocco, most of their players play in France and they are well funded, hence the need for the Black Stallions to have a 2 week camp."

Meanwhile, the Team Doctor, Bukola Bojuwoye is monitoring the conditions of team captain, Azeez Ladipo ahead of the tournament following injury he suffered at the finals of the South West league.

He finally affirmed that, "Despite all the challenges being faced by the federation, we believe that everything is going to be fine."

Full List of invited players:
Peter Okere Ambrose                               Scrum half                  North
Omoragieva       Monday Henry                Scrum/ Fly half           North
Ladipo Azeez Olaitan                               Fly half/ Full back       Lagos
Oche Alfred Sunday                                 Fly half/ Full back       North
Oladele John Siminuoluwa                        Center                        Lagos
Okafor Sopuruchi  ThankGod                   Wing/ Center               South Africa.
Ogar Christian Innocent                            Wing/ Center               South Africa
Jatto Onoru-Oyiza Jude                             Wing/ Center               Lagos
Afam Ifeanyi Moses                                  Wing                          Lagos
Iheme Felix Chidera                                 Full Back                     North
Olawale Oladipo                                      Scrum half                   Lagos
Ekpo Ekubi Samuel                                  Flank/Wing                 Lagos
Samaila Agwan                                        Flank/Wing                 North
Aleto Obinna Festus                                 Prop                           Lagos
George Anedi                                          Prop                           Lagos
Akeju Francis Sunday                              Prop/Hooker                North
Oduola Sodiq Kofoworola                        Hooker                        Lagos
Isa Hasan                                                Hooker                        North
Sani Isaac Cato                                        Lock                           Lagos
Kura John Terseer                                    Lock                           Lagos
Wilson Obi Izuchukwu                             Lock                           North
Yannick Ufoma Mukoro                           Eight                           Lagos
Ayinla Hafis Ademola                              Flank/Eight                   Lagos


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