The National Rugby League team tagged the Green Falcons to the World Rugby League Series in Canada left Nigeria on Friday for the 2025 event. They will play against Ireland, Fiji, and hosts Canada.
The team has five Edo State ladies namely Abba Chinaza, Precious Ukwuoma, Success lyoha, Becky Okitikpe, and Vera Akhihero.
Their first match will come up on Tuesday October 21 at the Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton. The Nigerian women will open the tournament against Ireland at 3:30pm, whilst Canada will take on Fiji at 6:00pm at the same venue.
The final and 3rd-place match will come up on Sunday October 26 at the Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton.
The final game is scheduled between the winners of the first matches with kick off time scheduled for 3:30pm, whilst the 3rd-place match will be earlier at 1:00pm at the same venue between the two losers of their first match.
This will be the first time that Nigeria will be featuring at this high level of Rugby League Matches.
The Edo contingent alongside the other Nigerian based players will now link up with a strong Nigeria extended squad that features both homegrown players and international heritage stars. Among the international players confirmed are:
Aminah Oluwabunmi, London Broncos (UK)
Catherine Akeje, Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers (Australia)
Adeola King, Ottawa Tigers (Canada)
Favour Irimagha, Sheffield Eagles (UK)
Annique Omodiagbe, Wests Tigers (Australia)
Faustina Akeje, heritage player based abroad (Free Agent)
Before now during their 3 weeks camping, the team engaged in two-legged international friendly matches against neighbours Ghana at the Alero City Rugby Stadium and defeated Ghana by 40 points to Nil in the first match and 28 points to 8 points in the second match last week Saturday to round off their preparatory matches.
They had earlier defeated Ghana home and away, then beat Kenya at home and drew away in Kenya went on to qualify for this higher level.
The Edo State Rugby Head Coach and a national rugby figure, Ntiense Williams is hopeful that the team would well.
He said, “We sincerely wish them well and success in the upcoming two matches with scouts from Australia, England and in Canada itself eagerly looking forward to seeing the Nigerian Girls display their talents for future contracts.
“This is a landmark moment for Edo State and Nigeria as the women’s team competes at global level, with scouts in attendance who could offer professional contracts.”
It is expected that if Nigeria wins in Canada, the team will secure qualification for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia.
Meanwhile, Edo State’s women are back-to-back national 7s champions, while their U-15 counterparts also clinched gold at the recent National Youth Games, defeating Delta State 7–5 in Asaba.
Also, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Rugby League Federation, Mr. Ade Adebisi, confirmed that Rachel Iliya is already training with Bradford Bulls in the United Kingdom, while Blessing Aladeyelu an Edo indigene is finalising preparations to travel next month to join Wakefield Trinity. These international breakthroughs highlight both the growing global opportunities for Nigerian women’s rugby and the pride of Edo State in producing talent ready for the world stage.
Nigeria Green Falcons 20 Strong Squad:
Faustina Akeje (Canterbury Bulldogs), Rachel Iliya, Endurance Ukwuoma, Blessing Umude (Eko Trinity), Chinaza Abbah, Rukayat Akinade, Blessing Aladeyelu, Lauretta Bayere, Adaeze Innocent (Lagos Bulls), Danyelle Shobanjo (London Broncos), Fedelia Omoghan (Ontario Ospreys), Catherine Akeje (Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers), Adeola King (Ottawa Tigers Rl), Vera Akhihiero, Success Iyoha, Abiola Obazuaye, Becky Okitikpe, (R2 Finesse Academy), Favour Irimagha (Sheffield Eagles), Shondell Akhabue (Wentworthville Magpies), Siobhan Sheerin (Unattached).
Coaches:
Bolu Fagborun (Head Coach), Luke Shearman and Samson Okeowo (Assistant Coaches)
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