Rugby: Nigeria Faces Tough Opposition In Olympics African Qualifiers

Nigeria’s national men’s rugby team, the Black Stallions, have been placed in a tough pool as the team bids to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled to hold between July 26th – 11th August, 2024 in Paris, France.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tony Nezianya, stated that Nigeria were drawn to face world number 21, Namibia and world number 33, Kenya.

Nigeria’s Black Stallions who are ranked number 69 in the world will also face Zambia, who are 68th following the draw for the fixtures released by the Rugby Afrique for the tournament. The Africa qualifiers will be held from September 16th – 17th in Zimbabwe and it would be Nigeria’s first Olympics in rugby if the team qualifies.

• Read more: Rugby: Nigeria Through to final qualifying round for Olympics

The Black Stallions are expected to take on Shujas of Kenya, one of the strongest powerhouses in African Rugby, on September 16th, before taking on Zambia and the Welwitschias of Namibia.

It would be recalled that the Black Stallions finished second at the pre Olympic qualifiers in Mauritius earlier in the year, where they lost 24-5 to Algeria in the final.

For Nigeria, the Black Stallions are hoping to make it to the Olympics after shocking the world in 2014 by qualifying for the Commonwealth games in Glasgow, Scotland with Steve Lewis in charge.