Nigeria Names 42-Man Provisional Squad Ahead of Heritage Cup Clash with Ghana

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has announced a 42-man provisional squad for the upcoming Heritage Cup showdown against Ghana, signaling its intention to field an entirely home-based Stallions XV in Accra on November 29.

The match, set to take place at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium, is being billed as a high-stakes clash between two longstanding rivals. The squad is scheduled to begin training camp in Lagos on November 22, with players reporting at Ojez Hotel, Jones Street, Ebutte Metta.

The provisional squad draws talent from top domestic clubs, including Cowrie, Racing, Barewa, Delta, Edo State, Zaria, Kwara Dynamite, Nigeria Police, AJ Sharks, and Plateau Tigers, alongside two players whose club affiliations were not disclosed. Notable forwards named include Quadri Kolawole (Cowrie), Julius Godwin (Racing), Obi Wilson (Barewa), Emmanuel Agu (Barewa), and Williams Malu (Nigeria Police). The backs feature Isa Omale (Barewa), Oseni Fawaz (AJ Sharks), Joshua Rankin (Cowrie), Ezekiel Tom (AJ Sharks), and Chidera Iheme (Plateau Tigers), among others.

The NRFF confirmed that the 42-man squad will be trimmed to a final 24-man travelling team for the Heritage Cup encounter, where Nigeria will aim for a strong showing against Ghana in one of West Africa’s most competitive rugby fixtures.