By Stephen Benjamin
The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr Ademola Aré, says Stallions are determined to improve Nigeria’s seventh position in Africa at the World Rugby SVNS 3 qualifier in Uganda.
Arè stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Aré said the team had intensified preparations for the Sept. 26 to 27 competition with some of the players currently based in the United Kingdom continuing their preparations, while three additional players would join the squad from Nigeria.
“Our players are very determined. They have been playing and practising in the UK and we are taking along another three players from Nigeria,” he said.
He said the federation had attached considerable importance to the preparations, adding that its management was working to ensure that all arrangements were put in place ahead of the competition.
According to him, the government was fully behind the team, while the NRFF management was also making efforts to ensure that no member of the delegation was left behind.
Aré said Nigeria was targeting a strong outing in Uganda and would seek to move up from its current seventh position in Africa.
“We are looking for a very good outing and we are expected to improve on our ranking. We are presently number seven, so we want to outrun some of the teams ahead of us,” he said.
Nigeria will begin its campaign against Ghana on Sept. 26, before facing Morocco and the Uganda Barbarians in the competition.
He acknowledged the strength of the opposition, particularly Uganda and Morocco, but expressed confidence in the Nigerian squad.
“It is going to be tough. It is not a tea party, but the combination among the players and the coaching group is to ensure that they concentrate on the games,” he said.
The NRFF president also described Nigeria’s opening encounter against Ghana as an important fixture, citing the longstanding rivalry between both countries in sports.
He recalled that Nigeria had recorded victories over Ghana in previous rugby encounters, and expressed confidence that the Stallions would start the competition on a positive note.
“I can assure you that on the first day of the programme, Nigeria will definitely come on top,” Aré said.
He, however, acknowledged the quality of the teams Nigeria would face, noting that countries such as South Africa and Kenya remained among the leading rugby nations in Africa.
Aré said the objective was not to make unrealistic claims about defeating every opponent, but to improve Nigeria’s standing through a strong performance.
“We cannot come first. I won’t deceive you, but we want to definitely improve on our ranking,” he said.
He added that the federation had also addressed logistical issues including visas, and expressed confidence that the team would travel to Uganda adequately prepared.
The World Rugby SVNS 3 qualifier is scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 in Uganda, with Nigeria among the African teams competing for qualification to the 2027 SVNS 3 competition.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh