Connect with us

More Sports

Rugby: Stallions Set To Make A Triumphant Return After 5-Year Hiatus, Line Up For Epic Clash Against Tunisia

Rugby: Stallions Set To Make A Triumphant Return After 5-Year Hiatus, Line Up For Epic Clash Against Tunisia

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has officially announced the starting lineup for the Black Stallions as they gear up for their highly-anticipated return to the rugby 15s arena. This momentous occasion marks their first tournament appearance since 2019, ending a five-year hiatus caused by a mix of challenges, including a World Rugby ban and internal disputes. However, with those issues now firmly in the rearview mirror, the NRFF has rebuilt bridges with key stakeholders and is ready to restore the sport’s prominence in Nigeria.

All eyes are on the upcoming showdown with Tunisia that comes up at 14:00 GMT+1(3pm Nigerian time )—a clash that promises to be fierce, given the historical rivalry and passionate encounters between the two nations, which often transcend the game and resonate through other aspects of life and culture.

A Stellar Lineup Poised for Battle
Leading the charge for the Stallions is the charismatic Captain Babajide Tunde, who has sharpened his skills with Southend Saxons Rugby Club. He will be flanked by a robust and skillful lineup that reflects a perfect blend of power, agility, and tactical expertise:

1.Loose Head Prop: Oghenetejiri Ajuchi
2.Hooker: Ibrahim Umar
3.Tight Head Prop: Ford Ayodele
4.Left Lock :Babajide Tunde
5.Right Lock: Arinze Okemuo
6.Left Flanker: Akeem Yusuf
7.Right Flanker: Chiemerie Felix-Maduchem
8.Number Eight: Frederick Henry-Ajudua
9.Scrum Half: Isa Omale
10.Fly Half: Matthew Ilube
11.Left Wing: Jonathan Ilori
12.Left Center: Oluwadara Odunlami
13.Right Center: Anthony Egodo
14.Right Wing: Samuel Akpabio
15.Fullback: Samuel Akpovwa

The Stallions’ depth is evident in their formidable bench, ready to make an impact:

16.Sunday Bassey
17.Julius Godwin
18.Taiwo Olagunju
19.Iyintosoluwa Kolawole
20.Liberty Enoma
21.Monday Omorogieva
22.Alex Onyeahasi
23.Christian Friday

This lineup signals the Stallions’ intent to return with a bang

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Sports

Dmitry Bivol Wants Revenge Over Belts, Reveals Why He’s Turning To Psychology Books

Dmitry Bivol Wants Revenge Over Belts, Reveals Why He's Turning To Psychology Books

Dmitry Bivol is more than just one of the most technically gifted boxers in the world. He’s a man constantly evolving—both as a fighter and as a person.

His journey to the top of the light heavyweight division hasn’t been without its challenges, but it’s shaped him into the disciplined and introspective athlete he is today.

Ahead of his highly-anticipated rematch with Artur Beterbiev, Mail Sport had the chance to sit down with Bivol during his training camp in Turkey, where he shared insights into his mental preparation, the lessons he learned from his first fight with Beterbiev, and how he’s balancing the weight of his ambition with his desire for perfection.

Heading into Bivol’s gym, the word UNDISPUTED is boldly printed above the entrance and again on the back wall, an ever-present reminder of the goal he’s working toward. Inside, the atmosphere is light but focused—before each session, Bivol jokes around with his team, creating a good vibe in camp. It’s a stark contrast to the intensity that follows when training begins.

His walls are lined with pictures of boxing greats—Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard— icons of the sport whose legacies serve as daily motivation. They look down as he perfects the Soviet boxing style that has defined his career.

Mentally, Bivol has always been an introspective individual. He’s someone who understands the power of the mind, and over the years, he’s honed his mental strength as much as his physical conditioning.

‘I used to read psychology books to understand the mind,’ Bivol reveals. ‘It helped me understand the thoughts I was having during training and fights, and it’s something I focus on more now—having power over my thoughts.’

This focus on mental clarity is key to his approach to fighting. After a gruelling training session, Bivol takes time to clear his mind, lying on the canvas in the pitch black to relax his muscles and let go of any lingering thoughts.

‘I try to empty my mind, to think about nothing. It’s hard, but it’s necessary after a long day of training,’ he explains. The process is as much about mental recovery as it is physical, and it’s an essential part of his routine as he prepares for Beterbiev.

Bivol’s approach to boxing has always been about duty—his commitment to discipline and excellence. But over the years, his perspective has shifted, and he now finds more satisfaction in his work.

‘Year by year, I become more focused on enjoying what I do. It’s become my lifestyle. I enjoy it for myself,’ he shares. However, that enjoyment doesn’t come without sacrifice.

Reflecting on his first fight with Beterbiev, Bivol remains remarkably calm and analytical. While the bout was competitive, he feels there were moments where he could have performed better.

‘I controlled the fight for most of it, even when I was moving back. I felt in control,’ Bivol recalls. ‘But I didn’t act how I should have to impress the judges. I should have been more active, throwing more punches in the later rounds.’

Bivol is not someone who shies away from self-assessment, acknowledging that his inability to maintain his activity in the final rounds contributed to his defeat. But his mindset remains pragmatic: ‘I don’t think about the loss too much. I just focus on doing everything right this time. I know what I have to improve.’

Meanwhile, his coach Gennady Mashianov jokes all Bivol needs is ‘better judges that can be more objective when scoring the fight.’

 

Continue Reading

More Sports

Gilas Ends Doha Stint With 31-Point Loss To Egypt

Gilas Ends Doha Stint With 31-Point Loss To Egypt

Gilas Pilipinas suffered back-to-back losses to end its campaign in the Doha International Cup on Monday (Manila time).

Seeking a bounce-back win following a 21-point defeat to Lebanon on Sunday, Gilas got whipped by a balanced Egypt side, 86-55, instead at QU Sports & Events Complex in Qatar.

Justin Brownlee scored a team-high 18 points but had little help with no other Gilas player hitting double digits. Carl Tamayo chipped in nine points.

Egypt, which was crowned champions in the four-team tournament after going undefeated, took control in the second quarter and never let up led by Ehab Amin’s 20 points and eight assists.

Gilas struggled on offense anew, shooting just 37 percent from the field while committing as many turnovers as assists with 16.

The Philippines tries to return to its winning ways when it visits Chinese Taipei on February 20 and New Zealand on February 23 to wrap up the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas has already punched a ticket to the Asia Cup set this August in Saudi Arabia after winning its first four qualifying games in Group B.

Continue Reading

More Sports

Mike Tyson Responds Parkinson’s Claims By Jake Paul

Mike Tyson Responds Parkinson's Claims By Jake Paul

A representative for Mike Tyson has come forward to refute Jake Paul’s claim that the 58-year- old boxing legend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, as reported by Express.co.uk.

Tyson’s highly anticipated return to the ring in November saw him face off against the social media personality turned boxer.

Although many believed the former world champion could turn back the clock, his age became apparent on fight night. Tyson’s performance began to decline after the second round, and he failed to land any significant blows for the remainder of the bout.

Despite not securing a knockout, Paul coasted to a unanimous decision victory in Texas. In a recent conversation with Adin Ross, Paul shocked the boxing world by claiming that Tyson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s but was ‘cured’ by smoking toad.

“Ayahuasca is really good for your brain as well. And same with toad! Toad cured Tyson’s Parkinson’s so that he could come back and fight.” When asked to explain how it worked, Paul replied, “You smoke it.”

His comments quickly went viral online, prompting Paul to clarify the situation on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the 28-year-old social media sensation wrote: “Bruh…Mike Tyson didn’t have no Parkinsons..WTF. Why the f*** is the internet so stupid for. I misspoke. Meant he used toad to heal his pain. He has spoken about it many times. Just like I do. Just like many do.”

In response to Paul’s remarks, representatives for Tyson have refuted claims that the former heavyweight world champion is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

“Mike is happy and perfectly healthy. He doesn’t have Parkinson’s or any other illness,” a spokesperson for the 58-year-old informed TMZ. While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, various treatments are available to alleviate symptoms, including supportive therapies such as physiotherapy, medication, and surgery.

Last month, Tyson expressed concern about his recovery from the Paul fight, telling the New York Post: “I feel pretty good. I don’t know if I’m 100 per cent recovered, but I feel good.”

In December, the boxing veteran confessed he couldn’t recall much of the bout though: “I don’t remember the fight that much, I kind of blanked out. I haven’t watched the fight. You know what I remember… coming back from the first round and Jake was doing some sort of bow… that’s the last thing I remember.”

He continued: “I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t sweaty. I went to the house we were staying in, I left the house with my wife and kids, went to the after-party then went back.”

 

Continue Reading

Trending