The Nigerian national rugby sevens team, known as the Black Stallions, has made an impressive leap in the latest rankings released by Rugby Africa.
They have climbed 13 places, moving from 24th to 11th in Africa, according to the governing body of rugby on the continent, Rugby Afrique.
This significant rise in the rankings comes on the back of the Black Stallions’ recent performances at the Rugby Sevens Pre-Olympic Qualifiers held in Mauritius.
Throughout the tournament, Nigeria’s men’s team displayed remarkable skill and determination, catching the attention of rugby enthusiasts.
The Black Stallions advanced to the final following a series of outstanding victories in the group stage.
They kicked off their campaign with a convincing 24-7 win against Ghana, followed by a dominant 43-14 triumph over Burundi. In their last group match, they showcased their superiority by thrashing Congo 43-0.
In the quarter-finals, the team, led by Coach Steve Lewis, continued their impressive form, overpowering Botswana with a resounding 33-5 victory. The semi-final proved to be another testing encounter as they faced a determined Cote D’Ivoire side. However, the Black Stallions emerged victorious once again with a hard-fought 20-12 win.
Despite their strong showing in the tournament, Nigeria’s hopes of securing a direct Olympic qualification were dashed in the final when they suffered a 24-5 defeat against Algeria.
Nevertheless, their overall performance was commendable, considering they had only one setback throughout the pre-qualifiers in Mauritius.
The Nigerian team comprised a mix of experienced players and eight new debutants who showcased their potential on the international stage.
The fresh faces in the squad included Awobowale Olukolade Mobolaji, Esiri Aaron, Asher Chinedu, Goualin Pierre Henri, Henrry-Ajudua Chukwuyem Frederick, Ilube Matthew Maurice, Lipede Adenekan Jojoola, Odunlami Oluwadara Olufewa, and Onyeahasi Alexander George. The seasoned players, Ono Jatto, Gabriel John, Declan Nwachukwu, and David Aniebonam, provided leadership and stability.
Looking ahead, Nigeria aims to secure a spot in the Olympics as they prepare to compete against Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Madagascar, Tunisia, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria, and Cote D’Ivoire in the Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe in September. The Black Stallions will strive to maintain their upward trajectory and continue making waves in African rugby.
