Rugby: Black Stallions Coach names Nigerian team in West African Series

Further to Ivory Coast's 22-12 victory over Ghana, the eagerly-anticipated clash at the Nduom Stadium Elmina is the tie of the series and Weir's’ side will be looking to put in a strong performance.

Black Stallions Coach, Bronson Weir has named his Nigerian side to face Ivory Coast on Wednesday in their first match of the 2019 West African Series Championship.

Further to Ivory Coast's 22-12 victory over Ghana, the eagerly-anticipated clash at the Nduom Stadium Elmina is the tie of the series and Weir's' side will be looking to put in a strong performance.

"I think it is quite clear. To win the series, we have to get a good result against Ivory Coast and to do that, we have to beat them in the contest area," said Weir.

"They are quite good at the breakdown and decent in the air, both areas are a priority for us. Traditionally, Nigeria and Ivory Coast games are always very close, they are tough affairs, so our ability to finish the game strongly is going to be vital. As you know, we had to release Christian Ogar due to a lingering injury. captain, Azeez Ladipo is away in the US playing summer sevens but Police winger, Maalik is back in the squad after a long spell away from the team. So we have about eight new boys and we will throw some of them straight in tomorrow.

"I can tell you everyone inside our camp believes we can do really well. We are very much looking forward to Wednesday."

Nigerian team to face Ivory Coast

Starting line up (debutants are asterisked)

15. Gabriel Etim John * (Fullback)

14. Abdulmalik Atomulaku (Right Wing)

13. Onori-Oyiza Jude Emmanuel Jatto (Outside Center/ Captain)

12. Joshua Effiong Etim (Inside Center)

11. Alfred Sunday Oche (Right wing)

10. Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Fly half)

9. Hassan Mohammed (Scrumhalf)

8. Jude Peter Abrakson * (No 8)

7. Ekubi Samuel Ekpo (Flanker)

6. Alex Onome Richard (Flanker)

5. John Terseer Kura (Lock)

4. Isaac Cato Sani (Lock)

3. Godwin Dina Otoro JR (Prop)

2. Umar Ibrahim Suraj (Hooker)

1. Ricky Ezenwa Nwagbara (Prop)

Replacements16. Mohammed Ahmad Umar

17. Sunday Bassey

18. Abduljelili Adeniyi Adeshina

19. Suleiman Olatunde Abdulganiyu

20. Oyekanmi David Kazeem

21. Monday Henry Omoragieva

22. Jeremiah Peter

23. Ezekiel Tom

Non-playing

24. Daniel John Christopher non-playing for 1st match

(With Inputs from APO)