Rugby WCQ: Nigeria gear up for Kenya clash

Nigeria’s Black Stallions are gearing up preparation for their Women’s Rugby League World Cup qualifying two-legged fixture against Kenya in Nairobi later this month, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Twenty-two invited players have been working their socks off at Rainbow College Boarding School, Maba, along the Ibadan Expressway, preparatory to the double header, with the first leg holding set for September 19 at Impala Club Rugby Ground, Nairobi, Kenya, which will also host the corresponding tie slated for September 22.

The team’s preparations are generously supported by sponsors, including Aerial Robotix, Alaro City, Chappal Energy, and Leadway Assurance.

The players are in high spirits, and so is the President of the Nigeria Rugby League Association, Abiodun Olawale-Cole, who, in a recent viral statement on the body’s official website, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress.

He said, “We’ve ensured the players receive top-notch preparation with the support of our sponsors. Despite a few initial logistical challenges, we are grateful that the team is now comfortably camped at Rainbow College.

“The players are motivated, the coaches are working hard, and I am confident of a positive outcome in Kenya. Our women’s team, like the men’s team, remains undefeated, and I firmly believe that the World Cup ticket is within reach,” he added.

The winner of the two matches will secure a spot in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup pre-qualifiers for the World Series next year.

The 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup qualification was announced in December. It is featuring four confederation qualification tournaments for each of the four International Rugby League confederations (Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East-Africa).

The two group winners of Europe will directly qualify, while the playoff winner of the two runners-up will face the winners of the other three tournaments in the 2025 World Series for the final two spots in the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

Qualification is open to all full and affiliate member nations who did not qualify via the 2021 World Cup. initiatives.