The Nigerian men’s rugby national team, the Black Stallions, lost 24-5 to Algeria in the final of the pre-Olympic qualifying series in Mauritius on Sunday, but they have advanced to the final qualifying round of the Rugby Event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Nigeria defeated Ghana 24 -7 in the opening match before beating Burundi 43 -14 and in the last group, match blew apart Congo 43-0.
In the quarter-final, Coach Steve Lewis led Lads to thrash Botswana 33-5 to qualify for the semi-final where they met a highly determined Cote d’Ivoire side who also fell to the firepower of the Stallions 20-12.
Nigeria’s defeat to Algeria was the first and only setback they had in the pre-qualifier in Mauritius.
Rivers Utd, Enyimba, Remo Stars, 5 others set to clash at Naija Super 8 tourney
Why I donated N10m, bus to Benue FA- Edeh
Nigeria will join Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Madagascar, Tunisia, Kenya, and South Africa who have already qualified for the final qualifying phase in Zimbabwe. Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire also reached the final stage.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Rugby Event final qualifying phase will hold in Zimbabwe in September this year.