Brampton, Canada — Nigeria’s women’s Rugby League national team, the Green Falcons, soared into the final of the International Rugby League (IRL) World Series after a commanding 10–0 victory over Ireland at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Canada.

The victory, which came against the world’s eighth-ranked side, sealed Nigeria’s place in the final and marked another milestone for the fast-rising African champions, currently ranked 17th globally.

Fedelia Omoghan opened the scoring with a hard-fought try late in the first half, though Shondell Akhabue, playing from Australia, narrowly missed the conversion to leave the score at 4–0.

Despite Ireland’s dominance in possession during the second half, Nigeria’s defense held firm. The turning point came when captain Rachael Illya capitalized on a loose ball 65 yards out, sprinting past the Irish defense to score a stunning solo try. Akhabue made no mistake with her second conversion, extending Nigeria’s lead to 10–0 — a scoreline that stood till the final whistle.

An emotional Akhabue described the moment as deeply personal, reflecting on her mixed heritage and pride in representing Nigeria.

“It means so much to the nation itself. You could just tell by our reaction when that final whistle went,” she said. “I’m Australian-based and half Nigerian, but I didn’t realize how much it would mean until that moment. I just broke down in tears — it was overwhelming.”

Team captain Blessing Aladeyelu hailed the result as a defining achievement for Nigerian women’s rugby.

“There’s emotion everywhere — happiness, pain, fatigue, but victory makes it all worth it,” she said. “Beating Ireland is a big deal. They’ve been playing rugby league for decades, long before it was introduced in Nigeria. This win means everything.”

Aladeyelu also praised the unity of the team, which includes players from Australia, Canada, and the UK.

“It wasn’t hard for us to bond because we had one goal — to make Nigeria proud and put our country’s name on the rugby league map,” she added.

Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Rugby League Association, Ade Adebisi, lauded the team’s progress, describing the victory as a symbol of Nigeria’s growing presence in world rugby.

“We’ve just beaten a rugby nation with 30 to 50 years of experience over us,” Adebisi said. “Our ladies have been playing for only about four years, yet look at what they’ve achieved. With more investment and opportunities, Nigeria can be known globally not just for football, but also for rugby.”

The Green Falcons will now face Fiji in the IRL World Series final after the Pacific side thrashed hosts Canada 48–0 in the second semi-final. However, Nigeria will be without key player Blessing Umude, who suffered an injury against Ireland and has been ruled out of the tournament.

The winner of the final will claim the last available spot for the 2026 International Rugby League Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Nigeria’s Green Falcons already hold the title of Middle East and Africa champions, and their latest triumph has further solidified their reputation as one of the fastest-emerging forces in women’s rugby league.

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Nigeria’s national women’s rugby league team, the Green Falcons, have landed in Canada ahead of their maiden appearance at the International Rugby League (IRL) Women’s World Series 2025. The 19-player squad, captained by Blessing Funmilayo Aladeyelu, touched down in Brampton on Sunday, marking a historic moment for Nigerian rugby.

The Green Falcons will open their campaign on Tuesday, October 21, when they take on Ireland at 3:30 p.m. (local time) at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton. Should they win, the Nigerians will face either Fiji or hosts Canada in the semi-final stage.

The final and third-place matches are scheduled for Sunday, October 26, also at Terry Fox Stadium. The championship game will feature the winners of the two opening fixtures.

Nigeria’s qualification for the global series came after their triumph as Middle East and Africa champions. The Falcons defeated Ghana home and away, and overcame Kenya with a win in Lagos and a draw in Nairobi to secure their spot at the global stage.

As part of their preparations, the Green Falcons held a three-week training camp at Alaro City International Rugby Pitch in Lagos, where they played two test matches against the Leopardess of Ghana. They impressed with back-to-back victories, winning the first game 40–0 and the second 24–8 on October 11, demonstrating strong form ahead of the World Series.

The squad features standout players including Success Iyoha, Ukwuoma Endurance, Shondell Akhabue, Innocent Adaeza, Adeola King, Rukayat Akinade, and Fedelia Omoghan, among others. Aminah Oluwabunmi has been listed as the team’s development/injury cover.

The IRL Women’s World Series in Canada represents a major milestone for Nigeria, showcasing the country’s growing presence in global rugby and marking the Green Falcons’ first-ever appearance at a world tournament.

Full Green Falcons Squad:
Success Iyoha; Blessing Funmilayo Aladeyelu (Captain); Ukwuoma Endurance; Umude Blessing; Shondell Akhabue; Innocent Adaeza; Adeola King; Rukayat Akinade; Fedelia Omoghan; Daneyelle Shobanjo; Siobhan Sheerin; Faustina Akeje; Becky Okitikpe; Catherine Akeje; Rachel Iliya; Chinaza Abbah; Vera Pedro; Lauretta Bayere; Abiola Obazuaye and Aminah Oluwabunmi.

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Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has sent off five female rugby players from Team Edo who have earned national team invitations ahead of the World Rugby League Series scheduled to hold in Canada from October 17 to 27, 2025.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele congratulated the athletes for their outstanding performances and dedication to the sport, describing their call-up as further evidence of Edo State’s growing influence in Nigerian rugby.

“I wholeheartedly applaud Abba Chinaza, Precious Ukwuoma, Success Iyoha, Becky Okitikpe, and Vera Akhihero of Team Edo for their dedication and determination to the game of rugby,” Enabulele said.

The players were formally presented to the Commission’s Chairman by the Head Coach of Edo State Rugby Team, Obong Ntiense Williams.

Enabulele hailed their achievement as “a monumental milestone for Edo State and for Nigeria,” urging the athletes to be worthy ambassadors of both the state and the nation as they prepare to compete on the world stage.

He also commended Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for providing the enabling environment that has allowed sports to flourish across the state.

Edo’s women’s rugby team currently holds back-to-back national 7s titles, while the state’s U-15 girls’ side recently clinched gold at the National Youth Games in Asaba, edging Delta State 7–5 in a tense final.

The five Edo players will now join Nigeria’s extended women’s rugby squad, which includes a blend of homegrown stars and international heritage players.

Confirmed among the overseas contingent 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), and Faustina Akeje, a heritage player currently unattached.

If Nigeria performs successfully at the Canada series, the team will book a historic qualification for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Rugby League Federation, Ade Adebisi, disclosed that two other Nigerian players are already making strides abroad. Rachel Iliya is currently training with Bradford Bulls in the United Kingdom, while Edo-born Blessing Aladeyelu is finalising travel arrangements to join Wakefield Trinity next month.

Adebisi noted that these international breakthroughs underscore the rapid progress of Nigerian women’s rugby and highlight Edo State’s growing reputation as a breeding ground for world-class talent.

“This is a landmark moment for Edo State and Nigeria,” Enabulele remarked, “and we are confident our girls will make us proud on the global stage.”

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