In line with their promise and drive to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Technical Committee has released a strong 14 man list for next month’s qualifiers in South Africa.
Arising from their technical meeting held on Tuesday in Lagos, the federation listed Nigeria’s rugby golden boy and speedster, Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC), Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Barewa RFC), Alfred Oche (Jos RFC), Onoru Oyiza Jatto (Cowrie RFC), Samuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC), Hafis Ayinla (Cowrie RFC) as part of the team to be captained by Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC).
Determined to have a blend of homegrown and foreign base players, 3 players were invited from the United Kingdom, 2 from the United States of America and 1 from South Africa, most of whom were discovered at the recently held President Cup international invitational tournament
The Onwukanjo brothers may be in line to feature for the national team together for the first time following the decision of the federation to extend an invitation to Onyinye Onwukanjo (Davenport University Rugby, USA) and Ike Onwukanjo (USA Northeast Olympic Academy).
Other foreign based players are Omotohunola Odulaja (Old Blues RFC, UK), Ayomide Joseph Mogaji (Doking RFC UK), Danjuma Mshelia (Richmond RFC, UK) and Thankgod Okafor (Sharks RFC South Africa)
In a statement made available to the federation’s media department, NRFF Technical Direstor, Fasimoye Olatunji, Technical Adviser, Bandele Coker and Team Doctor, Bukola Bojuwoye will be part of the 19 man delegation to South Africa.
The delegation which will be led by President of the federation, Edward Pam Fom will leave Lagos on the 8th of November for the tournament slated for the 14th and 15th of November Johannesburg.
Head coach and South African Rugby 7s legend, Fabian Juries and all invited foreign players will join the Local boys in Johannesburg on the 9th for the 5 days training ahead of the qualifiers.
Nigeria is drawn alongside Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia in Pool B.
Full Players 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), Standby Player: Emmanuel AKINLUYI (Samurai Midwives, HFW Wailers, Prop/Centre).
