United Kingdom-based Oghenetejiri Ajuchi, a prop, and Quadri Kolawole of Cowrie Rugby Club are among 20 players selected by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) to represent the country at the forthcoming Africa Cup billed to hold in Tunisia from December 16 to 23.
Ajuchi, who plays for Barnes RFC in the United Kingdom and Kolawole are joined in the 28-man squad by Ford Oladele Ayodele (prop) of Richmond RFC, UK, and Taiwo Olagunju, a prop, whose participation in the tournament would be confirmed today.
The NRFF said that Olagunju’s place on the team is subject to his release by his employers, a situation that would be confirmed today.
Nigeria will compete in Pool A, which also has Tunisia, Ghana, and Zambia. The top team from Pool A will proceed to a decisive match against the winner of Pool B, whose qualifiers were held in Morocco in November 2024.
The victor of this clash will be crowned the Rugby Africa Cup Repechage 2024 champion and will earn a spot in the prestigious 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.
Other players in the squad are Iyintosofoluwa Kolawole (prop/lock) of Racing RFC, Ibrahim Suraj (hooker, Barewa RFC), Julius Godwin (hooker, Barewa RFC), Babajide Adekunle Tunde (lock, Southend Saxons RFC,U.K), Arinze Okemuo (lock, RUMS RFC), Blaise Felix (Alberton Rugby Club), Akeem Yusuf (Cowrie RFC), Frederick Henry-Ajudua (ATL OLD White RFC), Oluwadara Odunlami (IBC), Liberty Enowa (Delta State Rugby Club) and Williams Tyover Malu of Nigeria Police.
Also in the team are Anthony Tuoyo Egodo (Birmingham Moseley, U.K), Jamiu Mohammed Ibrahim (Kwara Dynamite RFC), Alex Onyeahasi (Clifton RFC), Isa Omale (Barewa), Jonathan Ilori (Esher RFC), Isaiah Akpovwa (Blackheath, U.K), Christian Williams Friday (Barewa RFC), Monday Omorogieva (Racing RFC), Stephen Kiki Suru (Eco II, suggested to replace Ono Jatto), Aliu Auwal (Edo State Rugby Club), Samuel Akpabio (Barewa RFC) and Matthew Ilube of Old Priorians RFC.
The team will be led by Head Coach, Steve Lewis, and team doctor, Dr Bukola Bojuwoye.
