Sports

14 Teams Set To Rumbles At 2022 Abuja Rugby 10’s Tournament

Published

4 years ago

May 11, 2022

Joel Ajayi

No fewer than 14 Rugby teams will be taking part in the 2022 Rugby 10’s tourney starting from Friday’s 13th to the 14th of May inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Package B Abuja.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, by Abuja Rugby Football Club ARFC captain, Michael Egirani aka Don Michelino said the tournament aims to promote rugby in Nigeria and celebrate the skills of Nigerian teams.

“(ARFC) is proudly hosting the Pepsi Abuja Rugby 10’s tournament bringing together teams from across Nigeria to compete for the title of Abuja 10s Championship in the different categories, and take home a trophy and prize money for the 1st and 2nd, and 3rd place.

“This is the first rugby tournament held in Abuja in over 20 years.

“To further growth and raise the profile of rugby in Nigeria, ARFC is taking the bold step of hosting the first nationwide 10s tournament in Abuja this month will showcase the grassroots talent and the passion of Nigeria’s youth for the game of rugby..

“We are expecting over 1,000 spectators over the weekend and ARFC have planned a spectacular two days with entertainment in the intervals, food and drink vendors, craft stalls, media screens showing the live matches, DJs & MCs, seating areas with tents for shade, and an afterparty at the venue on Saturday at 7 pm. The atmosphere will be electric and there will be supporters in Abuja, nationally in Nigeria, and abroad closely following the tournament.

“14 visiting teams will be coming to Abuja for the tournament. The revamped format with a special feature of Ladies 7’s full-contact game and an earlier

finish allowing an after-party at the event venue, shortly after the awards ceremony.

“Opening ceremony is on Friday 13th May at 11 am followed by the kick-off of the first game at 12:30 pm and games will be played until 5:30 pm. On Saturday 14

May, kick-off is at 9 am.

“The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and grand finals, will all take place from 12 noon onwards on Saturday.

“Saturday afternoon will also feature a special one-off, first of its kind. Ladies 7’s full-contact match to show how the momentum around women’s rugby is continuously building and we look forward to demonstrating this to Nigeria through the unstoppable energy of our Abuja Ladies 7’s team who will be playing the Zaria Rugby Ladies 7’s team.”

In his remarks, ARFC President, Richard Abrakson, revealed that he is thrilled to be hosting the event: “We have been training hard for this tournament and can’t wait to welcome some of Nigeria’s best rugby players to our city, Abuja, the city of unity.

This is apt because our club is a community of players from diverse backgrounds. I am sure everyone will see that after some fierce competitions, all the players from Abuja rugby club and from across Nigeria will be united and friends – as often are the case with rugby players around the world.”

While speaking, ARFC Coach, Daniel Nicolle, said “With the first tournament in Abuja in over 20yrs, in the first-ever 10’s tournament in Abuja.

ARFC is looking forward to uniting Nigerian teams at the Pepsi Abuja Rugby 10’s tournament 2022.”

However, the side attraction includes, Free Entry | Food Vendors | Beer & soft drinks Craft stalls | and Seated areas available.

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

23 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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