Five talented players from Edo State have earned spots on the Nigerian national rugby league team, the Green Falcons, which will compete in the World Rugby League Series in Canada. The team is set to face tough opponents in Ireland, Fiji, and host Canada.
The Five Edo State Female Girls namely Abba Chinaza, Precious Ukwuoma, Success lyoha, Becky Okitikpe, & Vera Akhihero alongside other team mates made the National Rugby League team tagged the “Green Falcons” to the World Rugby League Series in Canada and have just left yesterday Friday 17th October 2025.
They will play against Ireland, Fiji, and host Canada
Their first match will come up on Tuesday October 21, 2025 at Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton. Nigeria will open the tournament against Ireland at 3:30 pm, whilst Canada will take on Fiji at 6:00 pm at the same venue.
The Final plus the 3rd-place match will come up on Sunday October 26, 2025 at Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton.
The final will be between the winners of the first matches with kicks off time scheduled for 3:30 pm, whilst the 3rd-place match will be earlier at 1:00 pm at the same venue between the two losers of their first match.
This will be the first time that Nigeria will be featuring at this high level of Rugby League Matches.
The Edo contingent alongside the other Nigerian based Players will now link up with a strong Nigeria extended squad that features both homegrown players and international heritage stars. Among the international players confirmed are:
Aminah Oluwabunmi London Broncos (UK)
Catherine Akeje Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers (Australia)
Adeola King Ottawa Tigers (Canada)
Favour Irimagha Sheffield Eagles (UK)
Annique Omodiagbe Wests Tigers (Australia)
Faustina Akeje heritage player based abroad (Free Agent)
Before now during their 3 weeks camping, the team engaged in a two legged International Friendly matches against neighbours Ghana at the Alero City Rugby Stadia and defeated Ghana by 40 points to Nil in the first match and 28 points to 8 points in the second match last week Saturday to round up their preparatory matches.
To get to this stage they had earlier defeated Ghana home and away, then beat Kenya at home and drew away in Kenya, but went on to qualify for this higher level.
We sincerely wish them well and success in the upcoming two matches with scouts from Australia, England and in Canada itself eagerly looking forward to seeing the Nigerian Girls display their talents for future contracts.
It is expected that if Nigeria wins in Canada, the team will secure qualification for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia.
This is a landmark moment for Edo State and Nigeria as the women’s team competes at global level, with scouts in attendance who could offer professional contracts.
Meanwhile, Edo State’s women are back-to-back national 7s champions, while their U-15 counterparts also clinched gold at the recent National Youth Games, defeating Delta State 7–5 in Asaba.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ade Adebisi, Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Rugby League Federation, confirmed that Rachel Iliya is already training with Bradford Bulls in the United Kingdom, while Blessing Aladeyelu an Edo indigene is finalising preparations to travel next month to join Wakefield Trinity. These international breakthroughs highlight both the growing global opportunities for Nigerian women’s rugby and the pride of Edo State in producing talent ready for the world stage.
Nigeria “Green Falcons” 20 Strong Squad:
Faustina Akeje (Canterbury Bulldogs), Rachel Iliya, Endurance Ukwuoma, Blessing Umude (Eko Trinity), Chinaza Abbah, Rukayat Akinade, Blessing Aladeyelu, Lauretta Bayere, Adaeze Innocent (Lagos Bulls), Danyelle Shobanjo (London Broncos), Fedelia Omoghan (Ontario Ospreys), Catherine Akeje (Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers), Adeola King (Ottawa Tigers Rl), Vera Akhihiero, Success Iyoha, Abiola Obazuaye, Becky Okitikpe, (R2 Finesse Academy), Favour Irimagha (Sheffield Eagles), Shondell Akhabue (Wentworthville Magpies), Siobhan Sheerin (Unattached)
Coaches :
Bolu Fagborun (Head Coach), Luke Shearman and Samson Okeowo (Assistant Coaches)
(R2 Finesse Academy) Abiola Obazuaye Adaeze Innocent (Lagos Bulls) Adeola King (Ottawa Tigers Rl) Becky Okitikpe Blessing Aladeyelu Blessing Umude (Eko Trinity) Bolu Fagborun (Head Coach) Catherine Akeje (Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers) Chinaza Abbah Danyelle Shobanjo (London Broncos) Endurance Ukwuoma Faustina Akeje (Canterbury Bulldogs) Favour Irimagha (Sheffield Eagles) Fedelia Omoghan (Ontario Ospreys) Lauretta Bayere Luke Shearman and Samson Okeowo (Assistant Coaches) Obong Ntiense Williams Rachel Iliya Rukayat Akinade Shondell Akhabue (Wentworthville Magpies) Siobhan Sheerin (Unattached) Success Iyoha Vera Akhihiero
