The African Men’s Sevens/Olympic 2024 Rugby qualifiers have the Nigerian senior men’s national rugby team, the Black Stallions, placed in Pool B. With their sights firmly set on securing a spot in the highly anticipated Olympic Games in Paris 2024, the Black Stallions face formidable opponents in the form of Kenya’s Shujaa, Namibia’s Welwitschias, and Zambia in this intense draw held on Wednesday.

The Journey of Redemption:

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) recently regained its position in the international rugby community after a ban imposed by World Rugby. Now, the men’s senior national team embarks on a momentous journey to punch above their weight, building on their performance at the pre-Olympic Qualifiers in Mauritius.

Road To Rugby Sevens Qualification:

Nigeria’s Black Stallions dominated their initial group matches, defeating Ghana 24-7, overpowering Burundi 43-14, and delivering a resounding 43-0 victory over Congo. Although they stumbled against Algeria, facing a 24-5 defeat, the team showcased their potential as a force to be reckoned with.

Coach Steve Lewis’ team faced a challenging semi-final against a tenacious Cote D’Ivoire squad. Undeterred, the Stallions harnessed their firepower, securing a hard-fought 20-12 victory to advance to the crucial stage of the qualifiers.

Runners up 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/WVCFvjQFkH

— Nigeria Rugby 🇳🇬🏉 (@NigeriaRugby1) June 26, 2023

The Daunting Pool:

Placed in a precarious pool alongside two of Africa’s rugby powerhouses, Nigeria faces a daunting task. Zambia, often considered a sleeping giant in African rugby, seeks to awaken from its slumber and turn the tables. Meanwhile, Namibia, finishing fifth in the last qualifiers, aims to surpass their previous performance and clinch a spot in the Olympic Games.

Rugby

The Nigerian senior men's national team, Black Stallions has been placed in Pool B of Africa Men's Sevens/Olympic 2024 Rugby qualifiers.

The draw conducted Wednesday, sees Black Stallions of @NigeriaRugby1 take on the Shujaa of Kenya, Welwitschias of Namibia, and Zambia. pic.twitter.com/AR1QOuoCy1

— Hassan Abdulsalam 🇳🇬 (@ProudlyHassan) July 19, 2023

The Path To Victory:

As the Olympic qualifiers approach, the Black Stallions must rise to the occasion and strategize meticulously to ensure a triumphant performance. Forging ahead with their eyes on an automatic ticket to the Olympics, the team aims to assemble their best players from Europe and America to bolster their chances in the qualifiers held at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, on September 16 and 17.