In stifling heat, Nigeria’s women completed a 3-0 series victory over Ghana with a 30-20 success at the University of Accra Mensah Sarbah Field in Legon, in the first senior rugby league international of the calendar year.

The hosts led narrowly at the break but tries from Abbah Chinuza and Akhihiero Pedro in a six minute spell around the hour mark set the visitors on their way to victory, hooker Akinede Rukayat posting a try double.

Nigeria women’s head coach, Samson Okeowo, said: “”It has been a great privilege to be a part of this occasion, both teams performed fantastically and Ghana have really stepped up after our games in Nigeria. Our Green Falcons were excellent and it shows that the future of women’s rugby league in the MEA region is bright.”

His captain, Jimoh Rukayat – who came off the bench – added: “We knew this game was going to be tough and indeed it was, but my girls stood up to the challenge well. The support we have had from our coaches and management has been superb and we look now to take this forward to the World Cup qualifiers.”

Ghana opened the scoring with the best try of the game, winger Cynthia Anafo sprinting clear from 50 metres out.

“It was a great game and you could see our improvement, especially in attack,” commented Ghana women’s head coach, Riddick Alibah. “We are excited about our prospects and, technically, the girls are making progress. We keep putting in the work and we can see their understanding getting better, there is much more to learn but they played their hearts out, it was a great day organization-wise.”

The first senior international for world ranking points of 2024 will be played on Sunday, January 28, when Ghana’s women host Nigeria at the Mensah Sarbah Field in Legon (kick off 2pm, local time). The nations created history last November in Lagos when playing the first sanctioned women’s fixtures on the continent in Lagos, Nigeria winning 40-4 and 14-6.

Ghana women’s head coach, Riddick Alibah, commented: “We are ready for the game. After analysing our progress from game one to game two, we’re confident that this match will be captivating. The team is a bit nervous, fuelled by their strong desire to win. Our training sessions have been productive and our game plan is straightforward, take it step by step, give your all, and fight until the end. Every player is committed to putting forth their best effort, and we’re determined to secure a victory.”

Opposite number, Samson Okeowo, said: “The team remains steadfast in its commitment to enhance performance, building on the success of the last two games. The journey to Accra is a crucial step for the Green Falcons as we aim for victory against the Leopardesses, paving the way for our Women’s MEA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Kenya later in the year.”

GHANA SQUAD
Cynthia Anafo, Elizabeth Adongo, Fati Bhon , Mary Obeng, Jennifer Moncar, Fauzia Nurudeen, Hilaria Wuaku (Accra Panthers RLFC), Belinda Ayele, Ivy Benyah, Estelle Haizel , Rose Sewornu, Shamsiya Tahiru, Sheila Tettey (Nungua Tigers), Jacqueline Ansah, Marceline Ashie , Gracelove Hammond, Eunice Lawoe ,Adiza Mohammed, Millicent Njomaba (Skolars RLC)

NIGERIA SQUAD
Umude Blessing Ajiroghene, Obi Stephanie Bella, Oseni Muinat., Innocent Adaeze Precious (Eko Trinity), Elizabeth Adie Nyangbe, Ruth Odey Emuji (Kano Lions), Imoisi Abuovbo, Abbah Chinaza Blessing, Mane Augustar Efe, Aladeyelu Blessing Funmilayo, Bayere Lauretta, Ukoha Sampson Godfirst, Akinde Rukayat, Iyoha Success (Lagos Haven), Ukwuoma Precious Endurance, Akhihiero Pedro Vera, Nwankpa Chioma Justina, Jimoh Rukayat, Grace David Alaba (Zaria Bees)  

The partnership will form an elite link between the Black & Whites and Nigeria Rugby League as part of the club’s ever-expanding Centre of Excellence footprint, which now features several regional and international development hubs across the UK and further afield.

The club’s development programmes are not only blossoming in Hull, following record breaking participant numbers and a new development hub at the University of Hull, but this is now further enhanced by regional and national development centres. 

On the back of a regional Centre of Excellence pilot scheme in Cumbria, in partnership with Whitehaven RLFC, the club have now launched a development centre in Nigeria, one of the fastest growing areas for rugby league participation with thousands of players now participating in the sport.

The agreement will see the Airlie Birds work alongside the NRLA to deliver an exclusive development, 

education and talent ID programme on the African continent, with the aim of developing and recruiting talented Nigerian athletes, and building a clear pathway for NRLA players into an elite sporting environment.

Regular camps, both in Nigeria and for Nigerian-born players in the UK, will focus on areas including conditioning, coach development, nutritional advice, and skill acquisition, with members of the club’s Centre of Excellence staff travelling to Nigeria to support the project overseas.

It is the ambition of the club that the programme will both raise the profile of the sport of Rugby League and increase participation in Nigeria, as well as playing a role in enhancing the Nigeria National Rugby League team, who are currently an RLIF observer nation.

A staff development programme will aim to enhance the capabilities of community coaches in Nigeria, with talent ID camps and weekly grassroots sessions in schools for players aged 14-18 forming a major part of the partnership. 

Participants and coaches will also receive Hull FC branded training wear and will play in the club’s famous black and white irregular hooped kit.

The partnership will see the Black & Whites receive regular scouting reports and performance data, allowing them to select the most promising athletes to progress with the club, who will offer unconditional places within the club’s Centre of Excellence programme in Hull and potentially into higher education with the University of Hull, which already boasts a strong Nigerian student population.

The Nigeria hub is set to be the first of several international and regional hubs announced by the Black & Whites over the coming months, with the club set to announce partnerships in two further continents before the end of 2022, as well as three further regional hubs in England.

The Category 1 ‘Outstanding’ rated Centre of Excellence has made significant strides since its formation in 2020, now boasting over 120 Hull-based male and female athletes, including several Rising Stars who are training with the first-team squad, embedding pathways for our Girls sides, and now expanding into international development.

So far this year, the club’s various male and female teams under the age of 18 have lost just three times this season between them, with the club’s academy squad undefeated, whilst the U16 and U14 girls squads have both won their respective leagues as the club builds for the future. 

Fittingly, a former Hull FC Academy player, Ade Adebisi, who is currently the Vice President and General Manager of the NRLA, will head up the project in Nigeria.

He said: “We are really excited about this opportunity to work with one of the sport’s most forward-thinking clubs to deliver one of the best Centre of Excellence programmes the sport has seen.

“We were grateful to have several clubs at our disposal, but once we heard from James about the plans for the club, the amazing work they’re already delivering in their region and their plans for further expansion, we jumped at the chance to work with Hull FC. 

“I am invested personally in this partnership having played for Hull FC early in my career and having experience first-hand the positive impact this work can have on young people.

“The club will soon boast some of the best facilities in the competition and an unrivalled education pathway and we can see the genuine route through for young Nigeria athletes and students, both migrating from Nigeria and those already based in the UK.”

He added, “This is an exciting partnership that will benefit Nigeria at both an elite and development level as we look to establish ourselves as a significant member of the international rugby league community over the years ahead.”

Hull FC Chief Executive, James Clark, added: “This is another exciting aspect of our long-term strategy to be at the forefront of youth development and talentID for the years ahead.

“We are already seeing the benefit of the time, energy and resources we’re investing in our Centre of Excellence programme in Hull, but this is the first time we have expanded beyond our traditional heartland.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to compliment the work we’re doing locally to not only unearth and attract new talent, but to also support the growth of the game and raise the profile of rugby league in new areas as part of our long-term commitment to developing players and coaches of the future.”