NRFF Unveils 42-Man Provisional Squad for Match Against Ghana

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has announced a 42-man provisional squad ahead of the much-anticipated Heritage Cup clash against the Ghana Eagles. The encounter is scheduled for November 29, 2025, at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium in Accra.

The Stallions XV, made up entirely of locally-based talents, are expected to open camp on November 22 in Lagos where players will compete for places in the final team.

According to the NRFF, the squad reflects a deliberate push toward strengthening Nigeria’s home-grown pipeline and building a cohesive, resilient national team capable of reclaiming regional dominance.

Full 42-Man Provisional Squad

Forwards

1. Quadri Kolawole – Cowrie RFC

2. Julius Godwin – Racing RFC

3. Iyintosoluwa Kolawole – Racing RFC

4. Olatunde Sulaiman – Cowrie RFC

5. Obi Wilson – Barewa RFC

6. Emmanuel Agu – Barewa RFC

7. Jude Abrakson – Barewa RFC

8. Chukwudera Onunkwo – Racing RFC

9. Nelson Eselekhomwen – Edo State RFC

10. Adebayo Tobi – Racing RFC

11. Chidozie Nwabunwanne – Cowrie RFC

12. Cornelius Arebamhen – Club not provided

13. Friday Solomon – Delta RFC

14. Akeem Yusuf – Cowrie RFC

15. Akinkunmi Akande – AJ Sharks RFC

16. Liberty Enoma – Delta State RFC

17. Williams Malu – Nigeria Police RFC

Backs

18. Isa Omale – Barewa RFC

19. Oseni Fawaz – AJ Sharks RFC

20. Ibrahim Jeje – Kwara Dynamite RFC

21. Jeremiah Peter – Barewa RFC

22. Adamu Husaini – Zazzau Rugby

23. Innocent Peter – Delta State RFC

24. Joshua Rankin – Cowrie RFC

25. Christian Williams – Barewa RFC

26. Joseph Junior Girigi – Kwara Dynamite RFC

27. Ezekiel Tom – AJ Sharks RFC

28. Joshua Etim – Barewa RFC

29. Sadam Abubakar – Nigeria Police RFC

30. Benedict Obianuju – Delta Marine RFC

31. Festus Omorodion – Edo State RFC

32. Iliyasu Musa – Zaria RFC

33. Stephen Suru Kiki – AJ Sharks RFC

34. Daniel John – Cowrie RFC

35. Prince Sam – Barewa RFC

36. Gabriel Etim – Barewa RFC

37. Samuel Akpabio – Barewa RFC

38. Monday Omorogieva – Racing RFC

39. Aliyu Auwal – Edo State RFC

40. Simpson Daniel – Barewa RFC

41. Chidera Iheme – Plateau Tigers RFC

42. Onoru-Oyiza Jatto – Club not provided

With competition for spots expected to be fierce, the coaching crew will assess form, fitness, and tactical discipline before trimming the list to the final 24-man squad that will travel to Accra.

This year’s Heritage Cup carries added weight, with both nations eager to assert supremacy. For Nigeria, it’s an opportunity to showcase the strength of its domestic rugby structure and reaffirm its status as a powerhouse in the subregion.