Nigeria women's national rugby league team
| Team information | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Green Falcons |
| Governing body | Nigeria Rugby League |
| Region | Middle East-Africa |
| Head coach | Bolu Fagborun |
| IRL ranking | 10  2 (31 December 2025)[1] |
| Team results | |
| First international | |
Nigeria  40–4  Ghana(Lagos, Nigeria; 3 November 2023) | |
The Nigeria women's national rugby league team (nicknamed the Green Falcons) represents Nigeria in international rugby league football competitions. They made their debut in 2023 with a 40–4 victory over Ghana.[2]
In 2024 they beat Kenya in the first Women's Rugby League World Cup qualifying series to be played in Africa.[3] Victory in the series made the team the first team to qualify for the World Series - the final qualifying competition for the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup.[4] In the first game of the World Series, the Green Falcons won the first fixture played outside Africa beating Ireland 10–0 to earn a place in the World Series final against Fiji.[5]
Since August 2024 the team's head coach has been Bolu Fagborun.[6]
Current squad
Nigeria announced an extended 35-woman squad for the World Series on 12 September.[7]
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Chinaza Abbah | Eko Trinity
|
| Japhet Akpanwa | |
| Mmesona Ibezilim | |
| Rachel Iliya | |
| Shukurat Nojimu | |
| Cynthia Obi | |
| Endurance Ukwuoma | |
| Blessing Umude | |
| Elizabeth Adie | Kano Lions
|
| Ruth Odey | |
| Rukayat Akinade | Lagos Bulls
|
| Blessing Aladeyelu | |
| Lauretta Bayere | |
| Chukwunekwu Divine | |
| Adaeze Innocent | |
| Rukayat Jimoh | |
| Muinat Osen | |
| Aminah Oluwabunmi |  London Broncos
|
| Danyelle Shobanjo | |
| Catherine Akeje | .svg.png){kind=small} Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers
|
| Adeola King | .svg.png){kind=small} Ottawa Tigers
|
| Vera Akhihiero | R2 Finesse Academy
|
| Kafayat Ashagbesoro | |
| Ayewe Helen | |
| Success Iyoha | |
| Perpetual Nwanna | |
| Abiola Obazuaye | |
| Becky Okitikpe | |
| Adaolisa Thecular Onyedikachi | |
| Olaitan Sanusi | |
| Favour Irimagha | Sheffield Eagles
|
| Shondell Akhabue | Wentworthville Magpies
|
| Annique Omodiagbe | Wests Tigers
|
| Grace Oreofe David | Zaria Bees
|
| Faustina Akeje | Free Agent |
Results
| Legend: | won | lost | draw | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria score shown first | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Score | Tournament | Venue | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 November 2023 | Ghana
|
40–4 | Two-match series | Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos
|
[8] |
| 5 November 2023 | Ghana
|
14–6 | [9] | ||
| 28 January 2024 | Ghana
|
30–20 | International | University of Ghana Stadium, Accra
|
[10] |
| 19 September 2024 |  Kenya
|
22–14 | 2026 World Cup qualification – Middle East-Africa tournament | National Youth Centre Organisation, Nairobi
|
[11] |
| 22 September 2024 | Kenya
|
0–8 | Impala Club Rugby Ground, Nairobi
|
[12] | |
| 7 October 2025 | Ghana
|
40–0 | Two-match series | Alaro City, Lagos
|
[13] |
| 11 October 2025 | Ghana
|
24–8 | [14] | ||
| 21 October 2025 |  Ireland
|
10–0 | 2026 World Cup qualification – Interconfederation tournament | Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, Canada
|
[15] |
| 26 October 2025 |  Fiji
|
4–62 | [16] | ||
| 23 November 2025 | Ghana
|
42–8 | International | University of Ghana Stadium, Accra
|
[17] |
References
- ^ "IRL World Rankings: Women". International Rugby League. 31 December 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria pounce Ghana 40-4 In Women's Rugby game". SportsRation. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "History made as Nigeria becomes first nation to qualify for the Women's 2025 Rugby World series". Vanguard News. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Ibrahim, Taiwo (24 September 2024). "Nigeria Defeat Kenya To Qualify For Women's Rugby World Cup Series – The Whistler Newspaper". The Whistler. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Akinsuroju, Toluwani (22 October 2025). "Nigeria's Green Falcons Soar Into IRL Women's World Series Final After Historic Win Over Ireland — NSC DG Olopade Hails Team's Feat". Sports247 Nigeria. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ "Bolu Fagborun appointed Nigeria Women's Rugby team coach". SportsRation. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Nigeria name extended squad". International Rugby League. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria 40 v 4 Ghana". European Rugby League. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria 14 v 6 Ghana". European Rugby League.
- ^ "Ghana 20 v 30 Nigeria". European Rugby League. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Kenya 14 v 22 Nigeria". European Rugby League. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Kenya 8 v 0 Nigeria". European Rugby League. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria 40 v 0 Ghana". European Rugby League. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria 24 v 8 Ghana". European Rugby League. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ "Match Detail". International Rugby League. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ "Match Detail". International Rugby League. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "Ghana 8 v 42 Nigeria - Match report". European Rugby League. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 14 December 2025.