Renowned rugby coach, technical officer, instructor and organiser, Obong Ntiense Williams has described the national team’s outing at the recent African championship in Kampala, Uganda as a wake up call for Nigeria’s sports authorities.
Sports247 reports that Williams pointed out that, although The Stallions could not win the competition, the squad’s gallant efforts at the 2026 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Series speaks volumes about their potential to do better if adequately supported.
The soft-spoken expert then called on administrators of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to look further into steps that would enhance the game’s progress and development at a rapid rate.
‘Mr Rugby’ added that corporate bodies in the country should also start playing key roles towards ensuring that the gritty sport begins to surge faster and better on the home front, especially through establishment of a domestic league for the sport.
He further noted that, though Steve Lewis’ side finished sixth out of eight nations, it was an improvement, considering that they climbed one spot higher than their seventh place end to the 2025 edition that featured a 12-team format in Mauritius.
Williams added, “The team won two of their five matches, thereby showing massive resilience by foreign-based in a squad blended with just two local players. Daniel John’s MVP proves Nigeria does not need to depend 100% on diaspora players.
“Talent exists at home (but there is an urgent need for a national league. Without a league, we cannot discover the next Daniel John. A national 15s league and national Sevens circuit are critical to build depth for the Stallions.
“Young players need regular, competitive games to be ready for Africa Cup selection in both Sevens and 15’s Rugby and for Women as well.
Four years without games is killing the grassroots. We had one at British Rugby School at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos earlier this year.”
He concluded with an affirmation that the national team’s crew and players showed in Kampala that they have enough zeal, skills and ability to excel on the African front, thereby leaving the remaining part of the mission to further develop Nigerian rugby to the administrators and sponsors.
Williams submitted, “They have improved their ranking and raised our flag with a home-based hero as MVP, even though it was with a lesser pool of teams, which was four short of last year’s 12 nations tournament.
“Now is the time for stakeholders – the NRFF, National Sports Commission and private sponsors – to bring rugby back home. (We need to) restart the Nigerian Rugby League and individual tournaments, so that we can revive the game in the country.
“Nigeria cannot continue to confront Africa with only two home-based players. We must produce more Daniel Johns in the Stalions. South Africa and Kenya retain Africa’s first and second rankings automatically as SVNS core teams.”
