Africa Rugby Sevens: Nigeria Black Stallions succumbed to Ivory Coast

The Nigeria’s Rugby national team, the Black Stallions brilliant campaign at the Africa Rugby Regional Sevens Men’s Tournament in Abidjan came to a halt as the host, Ivory Coast beat the team in the final of the tournament on Sunday.

The final match played at the Institut National de la Jeunesse et des Sports (INJS), Marcory in Abidjan saw the Ivorians lifting the trophy after a tension soaked final that ended…in favour of the host.

Coach Bronson Gabriel Weir tutored lads displayed good performance against their captors from the blast of the whistle, but it was the Ivorians that drew the first blood with a try, thus built confidence in the host.

However, the injured Ogar Christians Innocent could not deter Nigeria chances, just as they cut short Ivorians celebration which was hardly died down when Azeez Ladipo equalised before the first half ended.

Nigerian lads played a coordinated game on resumption of the second half which resorted into two quick tries courtesy of Alfred Sunday and Akpabio Samuel, while a conversion by Azeez put the team into a comfortable lead.

But the tide changed few minutes to the end of the game as the Ivorians leveled and eventually won the game on sudden death, 22/17 to win the two days tournament that featured eight countries.

Meanwhile, In the third place game decided, Burkina Faso defeated Algerian rugby team 20/0 points to win the bronze.
Also, in the classification matches, Niger Republic placed fifth after defeating Mali team by five points to nil.

Similarly, Benin Republic rugby team won her only game of the tournament with an emphatic 24 points to nil over their Guinea counterpart to place seventh overall while the Guineans came last with no win.