Nigeria Rugby Team Off To South Africa For Olympics Qualifier

Line up Nigeria Men's Rugby team

The Nigeria Rugby Senior National team also know as the Black Stallions departed the country , Sunday, for Johannesburg, South Africa for the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers.
7 home based players and 4 officials left Lagos from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ,aboard a Kenyan Airways flight by 12:40pm Sunday 2015. ‎

The delegation was be led by President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Edward Pam Fom alongside the Vice President, Fasimoye Olatunji, Bandele Coker (Technical Adviser) and Bukola Bojuwoye (Team Doctor) as part of the delegation.

Meanwhile, Head coach, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the team on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers on 14th &15th of November 2015.

Speaking after their last training session Saturday, the Technical Director of the Federation, Tunji Fasimoye revealed stated optimism that the team will qualify for the Olympics.

He thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co. Ltd for their unflinching support in making sure that funds were provided for the federation to facilitate their trip.
In his words, Fasimoye said, "Special kudos must go to Kelechi Mbagwu, Chairman, CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited for his support."
"We went to Zambia for the Cup 1C and Togo for the pre-Olympics qualifiers earlier this year with little or no support from the National Sports Commission, CMB came to our rescue and provided the necessary financial backing to make it possible".
"Months after our trip to Togo, here we are about to travel to South Africa, nothing from the NSC once again. If not for CMB, this trip would  not have been possible"

Nigeria has been drawn in Pool B, alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia. Zimbabwe are favorites to advance from Pool B.

Full list:
Christian OGAR (Cowrie RFC, Prop/Hooker)
Ikechukwu ONWUKANJO (USA Northeast Olympic Academy, Wing/Prop)
Nuhu Ibrahim SAMAILA (Barewa RFC, Scrum half/ Playmaker)
Danjuma MSHELIA (Richmond RFC, UK, Wing)
Alfred OCHE (Jos RFC, Fly half)
Omotohunola ODULAJA (Old Blues RFC, Scrum Half/ Playmaker)
Azeez LADIPO (Cowrie RFC, Fly half/ Playmaker)
Ayomide Joseph MOGAJI (Dorking RFC, Prop/ Wing)
Onoru Oyiza JATTO (Cowrie RFC, Wing)
Samuel EKPO (Cowrie RFC, Prop)
Onyinyeukwu ONWUKANJO (Davenport University Rugby, Prop/Hooker)
Hafis AYINLA (Cowrie RFC, Prop)
ThankGod OKAFOR (Sharks RFC, South Africa, Prop/ Centre)

On standby is Emmanuel AKINLUYI (Samurai Midwives, HFW Wailers, Prop/Centre)