Rugby World Cup: Namibia Warm-Up Matches Confirmed
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Namibia departs to Japan on the 12th of September 2019
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WINDHOEK, Namibia, August 2, 2019/ -- Namibia continues to undergo preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup with two confirmed games scheduled before they set off to Japan in September. The last match Namibia played was against Russia at the World Rugby Nations Cup in Uruguay where they walked out of the tournament with one win in the bag over the host nation. Since coming back from the Nations Cup the 50 Preliminary Squad has undergone vigorous strength and conditioning training.
After ongoing discussions to secure a South African franchise team who would available to play Namibia prior to the World Cup, the Namibian Rugby Union (www.NamibianRugby.com) confirmed participation of the Southern Kings who compete in the Guinness Pro14.
The first match will take place on Saturday, the 31st of August 2019 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek. By this date the official Namibian World Cup Team would have been announced. Information regarding the match will be communicated closer to the time. The second one – with great excitement - is to take place in the coastal town of Walvis Bay at the Walvis Bay High School Stadium on Saturday the 7th of August 2019.
“We are delighted that we could finalize these matches with the help of the South African Rugby Union and World Rugby. We see the Southern Kings as good opposition for preparation. Having the matches in two different towns is not only an opportunity to have fans come and witness the team in other parts of the country as most matches are held in Windhoek, but getting game time in humid and sea level climate is an important aspect of preparation for competing in Japan” President of the NRU, Mr. Edward Mensah, said.
“We are in a very fortunate position to have managed to secure pre-season matches against two national teams that are heading to the World Cup in Japan next month,” ISUZU Southern Kings Team Manager, Zingi Hela, said.
“We can now confirm that after our trip to Georgia we have agreed with the Namibian Rugby Union that we will take on their national team in two important pre-season matches which the Namibian team will use for their preparations for the World Cup.
“We are confident that the matches will be tough and give us the competitiveness that we are seeking ahead of our season, and we will be able to provide the same for Namibia before they depart for Japan.”
As part of their Pro14 preparations, the Southern Kings are also scheduled to play World Cup bound Georgia on Tuesday the 27th of August. The agreement between Namibia and the Southern Kings is beneficial to both as they will assist in preparing Namibia for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and these matches are important for them in getting ready for their 2019/2020 Pro14 season.
Namibia departs to Japan on the 12th of September 2019.
Inaugural Ghana-Nigeria Rugby President's Cup To Kick Off
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The Ghana-Nigeria President’s Cup was announced earlier this year in March
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ELMINA, Ghana, August 2, 2019/ -- The inaugural first of two matches in the 2019 Ghana-Nigeria Rugby President's Cup is set to kick off tomorrow 3 August 2019 at 11 am on the Nduom Sports Stadium in Elmina Ghana.
This historic event will also mark the end of the 2019 July WARS (West African Rugby Series) Men’s XVs Ghana Invitational Tournament.
The Ghana-Nigeria President’s Cup was announced earlier this year in March by the Presidents of Ghana Rugby, Mr Herbert Mensah, and the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu.
Mensah said at the time that a principle decision was reached between himself and Kelechi Mbagwu in Marrakech-Morocco during the 13th General Assembly of Rugby Africa to kickstart possible wider international cooperation with the President’s Cup.
“Everybody knows that the tournament structure of Rugby Africa falls short to give Rugby nations in Africa enough match exposure to ‘breed’ the next Rugby World Cup participants besides for South Africa and Namibia. Even Rugby Africa has asked Members to seriously look at friendly internationals between regional states,” Mensah said.
According to Kelechukwu Mbagwu, President of the NRFF, Nigeria and Ghana have had a long and exciting history of sports rivalry.
At the launch announcement, Mbagwu said, “It’s been the very best of rivalries, the rivalry between Siblings. I remember those epic Nigeria/Ghana soccer matches-: the Green Eagles against the Black Stars and the Nigeria/Ghana sports festival when Modupe Oshikoya ran against Alice Annan. Those are the thrilling images I see when I think of this new Nigeria-Ghana tussle.”
The NRFF President continued to say that he is proud and honoured to be amongst the founders of what can only be seen as a traditional coming together of two mighty brothers of whom mother Africa can be justly proud.
Mbagwu concluded by saying, “Ghana have set themselves an extremely high bar with their dynamic and vital President, Herbert Mensah, leading the way but when we get on the field it will be a different story. Long live the Nigeria/Ghana detente.”
Mr Charles Yapo, Rugby Africa Development Manager for the Region, said at the time of the launch that this is a very good initiative that will strengthen the relationship between these two nations in terms of rugby and allow players to have a little more playtime.
“It is also an opportunity to encourage other rugby nations to follow in the footsteps of Ghana and Nigeria. For the 2019 season, Rugby Africa encourages and supports this kind of initiative. Congratulations and Rugby Africa is at your side,” Yapo said
The match will also mark the end of the July 2019 WARS Men’s XVs Ghana Invitational Tournament.
Ivory Coast has already managed to be crowned WARS Men’s Champions by beating both Ghana and Nigeria. The match on Saturday will thus also be the deciding match on who will be the runners-up in the historic event initiated that was initiated by Ghana Rugby’s President, Mr Herbert Mensah.
The lineups for the match between Nigeria and the Ivory Coast were:
Nigeria
First XV: 22. Sunday Bassey 2. Umar Ibrahim Suraj 3. Godwin Dina Otoro JR 4. Isaac Cato Sani 5. John Terseer Kura 6. Alex Onome Richard 7. Ekubi Samuel Ekpo 8. Jude Peter Abrakson 9. Hassan Muhammed 10. Nuhu Ibrahim Samila 11. Alfred Sunday Oche 12. Joshua Effiong Etim 13. Onori-Oyiza Jude Emmanuel Jatto 14. Abdulmalik Atomuhaku Salihu 15. Gebriel Etim John
Substitutes: 16. Mohammad Ahmad Umar 1. Ricky Ezenwa Nwagbara 17. Abduljelili Adeniyi Adeshina 18. Suleimon Olatunde Abdulganiyu 19. David Kazeem Oyekanmi 20. Monday Henry Omoragieva 21. Jeremiah Peter 23. Ezikiel Essien Tom
Coach: Bronson Weir
Ghana
First XV: 1. Andrews Kwamena Amissah 2. Prince Boamah 3. Christian Percy Adamson 4. Calestus Bosoka 5. Micheal Arthur 6. Gideon Klugey 7. Alexander Dorpenyo 8. Eric Tettegah 9. Richard Kwesi 10. Francis Kweku Mensah-Donkor 11. Solomon Baba Akumba 12. Michael Acquay 13. Jerry Danquah 14. Kofi Montchon 15. Abdul Jalilu Yussif
Substitutes: 16. Abdul Wahid Illiasu 24. Seidu Ibrahim 18. Jason Kweku Dzata 19. Lukman Yaya 25. Eric Acquah 21. John Donkor 22. Emmanuel Terakuu 23. Suwabiru Salim Amuzuloh
Coach: Lovemore ‘Dallas’ Kuzorera
Match Officials: Match Referee: Mathias Bvepfepfe (Zimbabwe) Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Chiwanda (Zimbabwe) and Clement Dennis (Ghana)
Rugby – Nigeria: Bronson Weir names Nigerian Team to face Ivory Coast
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The eagerly-anticipated clash at the Nduom Stadium Elmina is the tie of the series and Weir's’ side will be looking to put in a strong performance
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LAGOS, Nigeria, July 31, 2019/ -- Black Stallions Coach, Bronson Weir has named his Nigerian side to face Ivory Coast on Wednesday in their first match of the 2019 West African Series Championship.
Further to Ivory Coast's 22-12 victory over Ghana, the eagerly-anticipated clash at the Nduom Stadium Elmina is the tie of the series and Weir's’ side will be looking to put in a strong performance.
“I think it is quite clear. To win the series, we have to get a good result against Ivory Coast and to do that, we have to beat them in the contest area,” said Weir.
"They are quite good at the breakdown and decent in the air , both areas are a priority for us. Traditionally, Nigeria and Ivory Coast games are always very close, they are tough affairs, so our ability to finish the game strongly is going to be vital. As you know, we had to release Christian Ogar due to lingering injury. captain, Azeez Ladipo is away in the US playing summer sevens but Police winger, Maalik is back in the squad after a long spell away from the team. So we have about eight new boys and we will throw some of them straight in tomorrow.
“I can tell you everyone inside our camp believes we can do really well. We are very much looking forward to Wednesday.”
Nigerian team to face Ivory Coast
Starting line up (debutants are astericked)
15. Gabriel Etim John * (Fullback)
14. Abdulmalik Atomulaku (Right Wing)
13. Onori-Oyiza Jude Emmanuel Jatto (Outside Center/ Captain)
12. Joshua Effiong Etim (Inside Center)
11. Alfred Sunday Oche (Right wing)
10. Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Fly half)
9. Hassan Mohammed (Scrum half)
8. Jude Peter Abrakson * (No 8)
7. Ekubi Samuel Ekpo (Flanker)
6. Alex Onome Richard (Flanker)
5. John Terseer Kura (Lock)
4. Isaac Cato Sani (Lock)
3. Godwin Dina Otoro JR (Prop)
2. Umar Ibrahim Suraj (Hooker)
1. Ricky Ezenwa Nwagbara (Prop)
Replacements
16. Mohammed Ahmad Umar
17. Sunday Bassey
18. Abduljelili Adeniyi Adeshina
19. Suleiman Olatunde Abdulganiyu
20. Oyekanmi David Kazeem
21. Monday Henry Omoragieva
22. Jeremiah Peter
23. Ezekiel Tom
Non playing
24. Daniel John Christopher non playing for 1st match
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Many thanks to the APO Group for including us on their media list. JLP
