AFRICA CUP 1C: Rugby federation lauds Black Stallions

By Akeem Lawal

THE Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has commended the country’s national rugby team, Black Stallions for their performance at the just concluded Africa Cup 1C held in Morocco despite failing to pick the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers ticket.

The Black Stallion finished second on the overall table after losing 53-10 to Morocco in the final game last Saturday at the COC Stadium in Casablanca, reports Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.

Speaking after the tournament, the technical Director of the NRFF, Olatunji Fasimoye commended the players for their courage and determination despite having only two foreign based players in the team.

Fasimoye believes with more investment in the game of rugby in Nigeria, the sport will soon be a force to be a force to be reckoned with in world rugby.   

“I am not surprised about the score, the morocco side is a very good side, all their players play top rugby in France, I praised the boys for their courage and determination. This boys are all home based players except for two of them who play in South Africa and their performance shows that with the right investment, there is a place for Nigeria rugby on the world map,” Fasimoye said.

The President of the NRFF, Sir Pam Fom also expressed gratitude to CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd. & Environmental Management Services for their support in ensuring that the Nigeria players are camped for two weeks for the tournament and also made sure the team got a foreign coach.

The coach Fabian Juries tutored side put up a superb performance in their first game with a 31-21 victory over Mauritius.

Two tries from Onoru Jato and one each from Christian Ogar and Obi Wilson, with Captain Azeez Ladipo and Monday Omoregieva’s successful conversions and two penalty conversions gave the Nigerian side the victory.

The second match against Morocco was a tougher task for the Stallions who did well in the opening 20 minutes to keep the score at 0-0 until Morocco set up a good rolling maul from the line out in Nigeria’s five meter line to cross over the whitewash for the opening try with conversion unsuccessful.

The Black Stallions responded immediately when Ladipo released a 20 meter pass to winger Onoru Jatto who raced 80 meters to score after beating three defenders on his way. Ladipo converted and the Stallions led 7-5.

The Moroccan however stepped up their game and score two more tries to end the half time 22-7 and ran riot in the second half to finish the game at 53-10.

Nigeria will now focus on the Africa Cup 7s to be held in Kenya in September.