Nigeria’s men’s rugby national team, the Black Stallions are through to the final qualifying round of the Rugby Event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France despite losing to Algeria in the pre-Olympic qualifying series in Mauritius.
The Black Stallions who made it to the final on the backdrop of an impressive win from the group stage to the final, lost 24 – 5 to Algeria on Sunday.
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Nigeria defeated Ghana 24 -7 in the opening match before beating Burundi 43 -14 and in the last group match blew apart Congo 43-0.
In the quarter-final, the Coach Steve Lewis led Lads thrashed Botswana 33-5 to qualify for semi final where they met a highly determined Cote D’Ivoire side who also fell to the fire power of the Stallions 20-12.
Nigeria’s defeat to Algeria was the first and only setback they had in the pre-qualifier in Mauritius.
Nigeria will join Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Namibia, madagascar, Tunisia, Kenya, and South Africa who have already qualified for the final qualifying phase in Zimbabwe.
Algeria and Cote D’Ivoire also reached the final stage.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Rugby Event final qualifying phase will hold in Zimbabwe in September this year.