Nigeria national rugby union team
The Nigeria national rugby union team represent Nigeria in men's international rugby union. Nigeria have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have competed in qualifying tournaments. Nigeria played their first international against Zimbabwe on 1 August 1987, losing by 111-12 in Nairobi. Their greatest success has been in the 2013 Africa Cup, where they beat Mauritius 63-3 in group 1C.
| Nickname(s) | Black Stallions |
|---|---|
| Union | Nigeria Rugby Football Federation |
| Head coach | Steve Lewis |
| World Rugby ranking | |
| Current | 69 (as of 13 June 2023) |
| First international | |
 Nigeria 12–111 Zimbabwe  (1 August 1987) | |
| Biggest win | |
Nigeria 63–3 Mauritius  (23 June 2013) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
| Nigeria 12–111 Zimbabwe (1 August 1987) | |
Nigeria tried to qualify for the first time for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but lost to Senegal (6-48) and Cameroon (8-18), and were eliminated. They also missed the presence at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, after losing to Cameroon (6-26), in the pre-qualifier.
Players
Previous squads
Nigeria are currently in the Africa Bronze Cup (Division 1C) and will participate in this tournament again in 2017.
Nigeria Squad for the 2012 Africa Cup
- Michael Adeniya (Westcombe Park, England)
- David Akinluyi (Old Olavians, England)
- Emmanuel Akinluyi (Cambridge University, England)
- Emmanuel Ayewe (Racing RFC, Lagos, Nigeria)
- Jace Hair (Basketball Legend, Moss Bluff Louisiana)
- Eseoghene Enajerow (Warri RFC, Warri, Nigeria)
- Udochukwu Eze (Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Nsa Harrison (Staines RFC, England)
- Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria)
- Adedoyin Layade (Sedgley Park, England)
- Tiwaloluwa Obisesan (GRavesend RFC, England)
- Shola Odele (Kaduna RFC, Kaduna, Nigeria)
- Felix Ogbole (Kaduna RFC, Kaduna, Nigeria)
- Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC, England)
- Craig Olugbode (Gateshead Thunder RL, England)
- Chukwuma Osazuwa (Gravesend RFC, England)
- Ali Shelleng (London Nigerian, England)
- Yemi Ibidunni (Old Dartfordians, England)
- Ivan Stevenson
- Francis Ugwu (Manchester Medics, England)
- Inam Jay Udo-Udoma (Blackheath and Ruislip, England)
- Ejike Uzoigbe (Worthing, England)
- Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria) 1984.09.24
- Samson Yahayah (Police RFC)
Head Coach: Steven Lewis (New York Blues, USA), Manager: Mark Dean (Samurai International RFC), Physio: Emma Mark (Esher RFC, England)
Nigeria Squad for the 2013 Africa Cup
- Adam Aigbokhae (Gravesend RFC, England)
- David Akinluyi (Old Olavians, England)
- Emmanuel Akinluyi (Cambridge University, England)
- John Kura (Racing Club, Lagos, Nigeria)
- Olawale Doherty (Richmond FC, England)
- Usani Ewah (Dallas Harlequins, USA)
- Abdulasmad Abdullahi (Nigeria)
- Olayemi Lawal (London Nigerian RFC, England)
- Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria)
- Adedoyin Layade (Sedgley Park, England)
- Tiwaloluwa Obisesan (Canterbury RFC, England)
- Ayo Salau (Aston University, England)
- Omotohunola Odulaja (Loughborough University, England)
- Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC, England)
- Olisa Ufodiama (London Nigerian RFC, England)
- Chukwuma Osazuwa (Gravesend RFC, England)
- Moyo Osinibi (Old Alleynian RFC, England)
- Moshope Osinibi (Old Alleynian RFC, England)
- Tan Mbonu (Enfield Ignatians RFC, England)
- Francis Ugwu (Old Midwhitgiftian RFC, England)
- Inam Jay Udo-Udoma (Barking, England)
- Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria)
- Gbade Adewola (Cardiff University, Wales)
- Samson Yahayah (Police RFC, Nigeria)
Head Coach: Gavin Hogg (Bury St Edmunds RFC, England), Manager: Mark Dean (Samurai International RFC), Physio: Emma Mark (Esher RFC, England)[1]
Nigeria Squad for the 2014 Africa Cup 1C in Gaborone, Botswana
- Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Bassey Sunday (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Samuel Olatunde Joseph (Royal Stallions RFC, Ilorin)
- Musa Ibrahim Suaibu (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
- Ogbole Felix Gabriel (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
- Alaeto Obinna Festus (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Solomon Friday (Sabongeri RFC, Nigeria)
- Sani Isaac (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Olanrewaju Azeez Abiodun (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Yakubu Abubakar (Sabongeri RFC, Nigeria)
- Godwin Emmanuel Chibundu (Delta RFC, Nigeria)
- Ayinla Hafis Adedamola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Zaria Isa A (DRC PHOENIX, Gronegen, Holland)
- Bakare Ramon Ishola (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Peter Okere Ambrose (Jos RFC, Nigeria)
- Samson Yahaya Didam (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Oyeyemi Yusuf Olatunji (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Dinobi Chiedozie Nzubechukwuka (Cobham Rugby Club, UK)
- Ogar Christian Innocent (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Enajeroh Eseoghene (Warri RFC, Nigeria)
- Olawale Oladipo Michael (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Oyebola Sulyman Olawale (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
Manager: Dele Coker, Assistant Coaches: Richard Raphael (Kaduna RFC), Ofoha Joseph (Cowrie RFC) [2]
Nigeria Squad for the 2015 Africa Cup 1C in Lusaka, Zambia
- Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Bassey Sunday (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Emmanuel Ayewe (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
- Emmanuel Bamidele Samuel (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Francis Akeju (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Emmanuel Godwin (Delta RFC, Nigeria)
- Sodiq Oduola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Sani Isaac (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Olanrewaju Azeez Abiodun (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Adebayo Odumosu-Jones (Lagos RFC, Nigeria)
- Godwin Emmanuel Chibundu (Delta RFC, Nigeria)
- Ayinla Hafis Adedamola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Leslie Ikenna Ume (Scarborough RFC, UK)
- Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Barewa RFC, Kano)
- Obi Izuchukwu Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano)
- Samson Yahaya Didam (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Sammuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Chijioke Thomas Emmanuel (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Ogar Christian Innocent (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Ugwu Francis Michael (Nigeria Exiles RFC, UK)
- Peter Okere Ambrose (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Halilu Sani (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Jatto Onoru-Oyiza Jude (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Adeniran Gbenga Hammed (Cosar RFC, Nigeria)
Manager: Fabian Juries, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye [3]
Nigeria Squad for the 2016 Africa Cup 1C in Casablanca, Morocco
- Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Francis Akeju (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Jatto Onoru Oyiza (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- John oladele (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Francis Akeju (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Alfred Oche (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Sodiq Oduola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Sani Isaac (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Isa Hassan (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
- Okafor ThankgGod (Sharks RFC, South Africa)
- Iheme Chidera (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Ayinla Hafis Adedamola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Obinna Alaeto (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Oladipo Olawale (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- Obi Izuchukwu Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano)
- Aniedi George (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Victor Afam (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
- Peter Ambrose Okere (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
- Ogar Christian Innocent (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
- John Kura (Racing RFC, UK)
- Yannick Mukoro (EkoII RFC, Nigeria)
- Samaila Agwam (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
- Monday omoragieva (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
Manager: Fabian Juries, Assistant Coach: Joseph Ofoha/Richard Raphael, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye [4]
Test Match Record
| Team | Met | Won | Lost | Draw | % | F | A | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Benin | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | + | ||
 Botswana | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | + | ||
 Burkina Faso | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | - | ||
 Cameroon | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | + | |
 Ghana | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 75.00 | 0 | + | |
 Ivory Coast | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 | - | ||
 Kenya | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | + | ||
 Madagascar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | - | ||
 Malaysia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | - | ||
 Mali | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 | - | ||
| Mauritius | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50.00 | + | ||
 Morocco | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 00.00 | 0 | - | |
 Senegal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 | - | ||
 Swaziland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | + | ||
 Togo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 75.00 | - | ||
 Zambia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 | + | ||
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 00.00 | - |
World Rugby Ranking
Nigeria were ranked 69th in the world by World Rugby as of 29 November 2021. https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru
World Cup record
- 1987 (New Zealand) - No Qualifying Tournament Held
- 1991 (England) - Did not enter
- 2003 (Australia) - Did not enter
- 2007 (France) - Did not enter
- 2011 (New Zealand) - Did not qualify
- 2015 (England) - Did not qualify
- 2019 (Japan) - Did not qualify
- 2023 (France) -
Nigeria Rugby Statistics as at December, 2014
| Games Played | 23 | ||
| Games Won | 8 | ||
| Games Lost | 13 | ||
| Games Drawn | 2 | ||
| Longest Winning Streak | 4 | ||
| Longest Losing Streak | 6 | ||
| Teams Played | 15 | ||
| Teams Beaten | 6 | ||
| Teams Beaten By | 11 | ||
| Teams Drawn With | 2 | ||
| Grounds Played At | 1 | ||
| Largest Points For | 61 | ||
| Largest Points Against | 111 | ||
| Largest Winning Margin | 51 | ||
| Largest Losing Margin | -99 | ||
| Total Points For | 375 | ||
| Avg Points For | 16.3 | ||
| Total Points Against | 549 | ||
| Avg Points Against | 23.87 | ||
| Total Points Difference | -174 | ||
| Avg Points Difference | -7.57 |
Nigerian players representing other nations
There have been a large number of Nigerian born or eligible players who have, for a variety of reasons, opted to play for another nation.
These include:
- Niyi Adeolokun - Ireland
- Ugo Monye - England
- Ayoola Erinle - England
- Topsy Ojo - England
- Mark Odejobi - England 7s
- Daniel Norton - England 7s
- Anthony Watson (rugby union) - England
- Marcus Watson (rugby union) - England 7s
- Steve Ojomoh - England
- Victor Ubogu - England
- Nanyak Dala - Canada
- Luther Obi - South Africa U20s
- Uche Odouza - England 7s
- Adedayo Adebayo - England
- Chris Oti - England
- Elijah Joseph - England
- Alex Macmillan - Scotland
- Andrew Harriman - England
- Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi - England U20s
- Paolo Odogwu -England
- Beno Obano - England
- Pierre Goualin - London SE -England under 16s squad
- Maro Itoje - England
- Nick Isiekwe - England
- Joel Kpoku - England U20
- Andy Christie - England U20
- Rotimi Segun - England U20
- Elliott Obatoyimno - England U20
- Josh Ibuanokpe - England U20
- Nathan Earle - England
- Gabriel Ibitoye - England U20
- Gabriel Oghre - England U20
- Max Williams (rugby union) - Wales U20
References
External links
- Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Official Site
- Nigeria on IRB.com
- Nigeria on rugbydata.com
- International Test Results
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