Okenla delighted to retain Independence Rugby 7s title with Samurai

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA rugby football national team, the Black Stallions star, Temitope Okenla is delighted to help Samurai Barracudas retain the Lagos Independence Rugby 7s title after defeating Cowrie RFC of Lagos 26-0 in the final held at the Lagos Polo club on Sunday.

The two day event which featured 12 teams draw from different parts of Nigeria, as well as South Africa and United Kingdom.

Okenla played major role for Samurai Barracudas, a team of top class players drawn from Kenya, Portugal, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom as they beat Cambridge Merlins (UK) 42-0 in quarters, defeat Barewa RFC (Kano) 36-0 in the semis before hammering Cowrie in the final.

Okenla celebrating with some members of his family who came around to cheer him to victory

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, Okenla, who was amazed by the improvement notice about the Nigeria teams, said the country has potentials to be rubbing shoulders against top rugby football nations across to continent.

“I feel great as a Nigerian to come back home for the second time and win the title, I love it. I want to commend my team mates for putting up such a great performance.

“Cowries were very physical and aggressive; you can see that was part of their game plan. They were very difficult to play against. Another strong team is Barewa, they like to play Sevens, if they see ball, they play wide, they tackled low. You always know that you don’t take anything for granted against them.

“The competition is getting better and better. I’m really impressed with our teams and Nigerian rugby is going forward,” the Gravesend RFC of England player told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.

Captain of Cowries, Ono Jatto said Nigerian rugby players have gained more experience playing in the tournament.

Jatto receiving the 2nd place prize money from NRFF President, Kelechukwu Mbagwu

“I know the standard of the game was more than last year, but we actually played better than last year which shows that we are improving. I spoke to our opponent and they said for the first three minutes they couldn’t cope because the pace we were going was too much for them. We really hit running but they are more experienced than us, they played better than us. 

"So we just need to keep working hard, we like to win this year but there are lots of positives to take away from the tournament but I’m hoping next year we give them a better game and come out victorious,” Jatto told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.

National team captain, Azeez Ladipo, who was in action for Cowrie hailed the Nigeria Rugby Federation for putting up such a tournament, adding that  the Lagos Independence Rugby 7s can be one of the top Sevens tournament on the continent.

In some of the classification matches played earlier, Sabongari RFC beat Warri Wolves 14-0, to win the Bowl final and a cash prize of N100,000; Delta Force RFC defeated Nasarawa RFC 15-12 to win the Plate, as well as a cash prize of N150, 000.

NRFF president presenting U-15 School Boys Cup to Barewa Academy captain 

In the exhibition games, Edo Women defeated Lagos 10-5, while Barewa Academy emerged winner of the U-15 School Boys Cup by defeating Edo Boys 15-12 in the final.

Edo women team receiving their trophy

Captain of Samurai Barracudas, leal Pedro was declared the MVP of the tournament.

Leal Pedro receiving his MVP prize money from NRFF president