Renowned rugby coach, instructor, referee, administrator, promoter and analyst, Obong Ntiense Williams has charged authorities of the sport in Nigeria to follow the effective examples of Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Sports247 reports that Williams made the call while presenting a detailed review of the recent Africa Rugby Men’s Sevens Championship in Kampala, Uganda, where Nigeria placed 10th overall.
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‘Mr Rugby’ acknowledged the gallant efforts of Nigeria’s players in The Stallions’ squad that featured during the competition, but averred that better results can be achieved through long-term planning.
He opined that, to excel at a competition like the Sevens Series, which ended on October 4th in Mauritius, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) must camp the players longer, to avoid repeating what saw the country drop three places from 7th position that was achieved among a contest of 12 teams in 2025.
The erudite rugby expert went on to provide details of Nigeria’s statistics, compared with those of Zimbabwe and Kenya, both of whom he noted have taken giant strides in recent months, which he said should be emulated by the NRFF.
Williams expatiated, “Zimbabwe won the Uganda leg 26-19 versus Uganda to claim Africa’s sole ticket to HSBC SVNS 3 2027. Kenya beat Madagascar 15-12 in Mauritius to win their 7th African title.
“After the two hard legs in Kampala and Mauritius, Nigeria’s men’s sevens finished 10th in Africa Standings for 2026. It’s not where we want to be, but it’s the reality check we need.
“In the all-important SVNS 3 qualifier leg in Uganda on 27th September, Nigeria came 6th of 8 teams – two wins, three losses, 77 scored, 108 conceded. We beat Ghana 19-12 to avoid the wooden spoon but lost the 5th-place playoff to Tunisia.
“Zimbabwe did what Nigeria must learn to do – they won the Uganda leg 26-19, beating the hosts Uganda and booked Africa’s only ticket to HSBC SVNS 3 for 2027, whilst Kenya went on to beat Madagascar 15-12 in Mauritius to become African Champions for the 7th time.
“The consequence is that we have missed SVNS 3 again. That tier in Dubai this January had Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Madagascar and others fighting for promotion to SVNS 2 where Kenya, USA, Germany and Uruguay are currently battling. Nigeria wasn’t there.”
He concluded by pointing at various lapses and laxities on Nigeria’s part that combined to prevent The Stallions from excelling when it mattered most, then called for a new lease of life that would prevent a reoccurrence in the future.
“It is a huge setback, but not surprising. We camped for two weeks, while Kenya camped for three months and played 20 international games. Our boys had two home-based, with one of them winning the MVP for Nigeria, without any domestic structure for games by the Rugby Federation.
“The foreign-based were not fit; as was very clarring with several unnecessary miss tackles. They are not professionals, as opposed to the Kenyans and Zimbabweans. All the same, our prospect for 2027 is bright – if we get serious.
“The core of this team is 23 years old. The 2027 Africa Cup is the gateway to HSBC SVNS 3 and the LA 2028 Olympics pre-qualifiers. The top four teams will guarantee us a partway to the world stage. We need early preparation.
“A proper Sevens Academy is also highly needed for both male and female rugby players. We also need an influx of private money investments and sponsorship support that will follow the Kenyan and Zimbabwe models.
“It is quite unfortunate that rugby was excluded from the only event that would have provided an ultimate test for our domestic players at the National Sports Festival in Enugu, which would have been our best selection ground.
“Unfortunately, rugby will be out of the next three National Sports Festivals after the Coal City Games; but we have to grow it to the international level and start attracting much needed attention with appropriate funding. We must start now,” Williams posited.
