Edward Oseghe
Nigeria’s national rugby sevens team, the Stallions, ended their 2025 Africa Men’s Sevens campaign on a winning note, securing a hard-fought 19–12 victory over regional rivals, Leopards of Ghana, in what has come to be known as the “Jollof Derby.”
The victory, announced in a statement by the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) on Monday, earned the Stallions a commendable 7th-place finish—an improvement from their 11th-place result in the previous edition of the continental tournament.
The Nigeria’s campaign, proved to be a mixed journey. The Nigerian side began their group-stage matches with a tough encounter against tournament favourites South Africa, falling 17–5 to the Blitzboks. Despite the loss, the team received plaudits for their resolute defence and tenacity.
Nigeria bounced back strongly in their next match, defeating Burkina Faso with a convincing 29–12 scoreline. However, their final group-stage fixture saw them narrowly edged out 14–7 by a disciplined Zambian side in what was one of the most tightly contested matches of the round.
The quarterfinals pitted Nigeria against Kenya’s Shujaa, one of Africa’s most experienced teams. Despite missing several regular starters due to injury, the Stallions displayed grit but were ultimately outclassed in a 43–12 defeat.
Relegated to the placement rounds, Nigeria once again faced Zambia in a rematch. In a game marked by high intensity and back-and-forth action, the Stallions pushed their opponents to the limit but fell just short in a 26–22 loss.
The tournament concluded with the long-anticipated clash against Ghana. Dubbed the “Jollof Derby” in reference to the culinary rivalry between the two West African nations, the match lived up to its billing. Nigeria maintained composure and energy throughout, securing a 19–12 victory to end their campaign on a positive note.
The NRFF praised the team’s performance, highlighting the improvement in results and the development of new talent. The 7th-place finish is viewed as a sign of progress and growing competitiveness on the African rugby scene.
