NRFF names squad for Africa Cup 7s Championship

After a careful assessment of players at the just concluded independence rugby sevens championship in Lagos, Eleven local based and one foreign based players have been   named for Black Stallions squad for the 2014 Africa Cup 7s.

 

“It’s a strong squad and all the players on this squad performed exceptionally well at the just concluded Independence 7s championship. The tournament was used to look at good enough players for Black Stallions 7s and it is quite unfortunate that our exiles players in UK could not come down for the tournament despite being offered an all expense paid trip to Nigeria,” said Fasimoye Olatunji. (VP/TD NRFF)

The team will be captained by Azeez Ladipo who is also the 15’s  National team captain, his versatility and experience geared  him to  lead his club (Cowrie RFC) to the Cup victory in the just concluded Independence 7s championship, he also led his club to plate victory in Dubai 7s last year.

“We will not lack pace at all as we now have the duo of Christian Ogar and Abdulmalik Salihu on the squad. Both players were simply outstanding last weekend. They both have those x factors; good feet, good acceleration. Christian is big and strong and gives us great cover out wide.”

The team also includes a number of Sevens stalwarts, including the in-form Peter Okere Ambrose who single handedly took Plateau Tigers of Jos to the semi final of the just concluded independence 7’s championship  and Hafis Ayinla will lead the forwards and get his first 7s cap for Black Stallions after putting up a good show at the same tournament.

 “In this Black Stallions squad, I think we have an extremely talented group of players with the right mix of experience and youth. I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can produce in Harare. We are also looking at including two youngsters: Kelechi Anozie (Hawkster Athletics RFC) and Monday Alex (Racing RFC) to train with squad to prepare them for the future” Said Fasimoye Olatunji TD/VP (NRFF).

The 12-man squad is expected to resume camp in Lagos on the 14^th of November in preparation for the African 7’s Championship; the team will be coached by South Africa Rugby 7s legend Fabian Juries who is ex Springbok player and the 4^th highest point scorer in world 7-a-side rugby. He will bring his wealth of experience into the team.

 Nigeria Squad: Lasisi Kazeem. (Nigeria Police), Olanrewaju Azeez ((Nigeria Police), Ayinla  Hafis (Cowrie RFC), Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC), Peter Ambrose (Plateau Tigers), Salihu Abdulmalik (Nigeria Police), Oduntan Olatunji (Cowrie RFC), Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC), John Oladele (Cowrie RFC), Abubakar Sadam (Zaria RFC), Samaila Agwam (Hamilton RFC, South Africa), Lawal Saulawa (Abuja RFC)