The Nigerian ladies’s nationwide rugby league group, the Inexperienced Falcons, have arrived in Canada forward of their historic participation within the 2025 Worldwide Rugby League (IRL) Ladies’s World Collection.
Led by captain Blessing Aladeyelu, the 19-player squad touched down in Brampton, Ontario, the place they may open their marketing campaign towards Eire on Tuesday, 21 October on the Terry Fox Stadium.
The encounter, scheduled for 3:30 p.m., marks Nigeria’s first-ever look on the world rugby league match.
The Inexperienced Falcons, who certified as Center East and Africa champions, can even face both Fiji or hosts Canada, relying on the result of their opening match.
The World Collection closing and third-place playoff are additionally set for Sunday, 26 October, on the Terry Fox Stadium.
Nigeria’s qualification journey was outstanding, highlighting their speedy rise on the African rugby scene.
The Inexperienced Falcons earned their ticket to Canada after a powerful continental marketing campaign—defeating Ghana dwelling and away earlier than overcoming Kenya with a house victory and an away draw.
Their success underlined the group’s rising confidence and technical maturity.
The Falcons spent three weeks in camp, rounding off preparations with two worldwide check matches towards the Leopardess of Ghana on the Alaro Metropolis Worldwide Rugby Pitch in Lagos.
The Nigerian aspect dominated each encounters, profitable the primary sport 40–0 and sealing the second 24–8 on 11 October.
Workforce officers mentioned the squad’s preparation centered on enhancing defensive coordination, set performs, and total tactical self-discipline—key areas recognized in the course of the African qualifiers.
“This group has labored extremely laborious to get right here. The gamers are decided to symbolize Nigeria with satisfaction and to point out the world that African ladies’s rugby league has come of age,” an official from the Nigeria Rugby League Federation mentioned.
Under is the complete Inexperienced Falcons squad for the IRL Ladies’s Rugby League World Collection:
1. Success Iyoha
2. Blessing Funmilayo Aladeyelu (Captain)
3. Ukwuoma Endurance
4. Umude Blessing
5. Shondell Akhabue
6. Harmless Adaeza
7. Adeola King
8. Rukayat Akinade
9. Fedelia Omoghan
10. Daneyelle Shobanjo
11. Siobhan Sheerin
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12. Faustina Akeje
13. Becky Okitikpe
14. Catherine Akeje
15. Rachel Iliya
16. Chinaza Abbah
17. Vera Pedro
18. Lauretta Bayere
19. Abiola Obazuaye
Growth/harm cowl: Aminah Oluwabunmi
Because the match kicks off, expectations are excessive for the Inexperienced Falcons, whose trailblazing journey continues to encourage ladies’s participation in rugby throughout Nigeria and the African continent.
