World Cup Qualification (Women) 2026 Pacific Qualifying Tournament : MEA Qualifying Tournament

Thu 19th September 2024   - KO  16:00 - Impala Rugby Stadium, Nairobi , Kenya
Official: Stephane Vincent (France)

Kenya

14

FT

22

Half Time
0 - 12

Nigeria

Tries

Goals

Kenya, Nigeria name teams for RLWC2026 Qualifiers

Kenya and Nigeria have named their squads for the first-ever Women’s Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers in Africa.

The nations will meet over two games at the Impala Stadium, Nairobi on Thursday, 19 September (kick off 2pm, local time) and Sunday, 22 September (3pm), with the winner qualifying for the 2025 World Series as the MEA representatives.

If Kenya and Nigeria win a match apiece, the World Series berth will be determined on the aggregate score.

The MEA fixtures are the first qualifying matches for the 2025 World Series, with Greece to play Ireland for the European berth, and Americas and Pacific tournaments to be played in October and November. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏉🌍 MEA Women&#39;s Rugby League Cup Qualifiers:<br>1️⃣st Half<br><br>🇰🇪 0 - 12 🇳🇬<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MEAQualifiers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MEAQualifiers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TackleLikeALady?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TackleLikeALady</a> 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mearugbyleague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mearugbyleague</a> <a href="https://t.co/CDKbIRavO7">pic.twitter.com/CDKbIRavO7</a></p>&mdash; MEA Rugby League (@mearugbyleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/mearugbyleague/status/1836747634175775136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>  

Both Kenya and Nigeria teams have been in high intensity camps for the last week preparing for the matches. 

Kenya women’s coach, Dennish Ndinya, commented: “Every match is a step toward our World Cup dreams. We plan to play with heart, focus, and unity. The world is watching, and Kenya are ready to make our mark."

 Co-captain Moreen Atieno, added: “To my teammates, let us channel our focus and determination onto the field and remember that every action counts. To our incredible fans your support and cheers fuel our passion. Stand with us as we aim the World Cup.”

Newly appointed Nigeria women’s head coach, Bolu Fagborun, said on the eve of his team's departure for Kenya: “I’ve been really impressed by the attitude and determination shown by this group of women.

"We have some exciting players who will be encouraged to express themselves. Well done to all the management, chair, sponsors from NRLA who’ve worked so hard to ensure that this group of women get this opportunity to play international sports.”

NRL vice chair Ade Adebisi said: “Our team has been working tirelessly in preparation for this pivotal moment in Nigerian Rugby League history.

“We are confident that the hard work, dedication, and passion of our players will shine through in this crucial encounter. We are all eagerly looking forward to the qualifiers and are hopeful for a successful outcome that will bring us one step closer to representing Nigeria on the world stage.”

KENYA SQUAD

Angel Salamba, Ann Ochieng, Diana Omosso, Dorothy Mulela, Dorris Kimani, Faith Oketch, Hesslah Khisa, Lewin Amazimbi, Lovinah Mijere, Merisha Negesia, Milkah Chitechi, Moreen Atieno, Sharon Bosibori, Sophye Nabwire, Vivian Anyango (Administration Police RL) Susan Wangechi, Kerina Omala (Ruffians RL) Mercy Khatenje, Lawnisky Munayi (Winam RL).

NIGERIA SQUAD

Blessing Funmilayo Aladeyelu , Tolulope Lauretta Bayere, Adaeze Precious Inncoent, Perpetua Mmanna, Nwanna, Rukayat Temitope Ajoke Akinade, Muinat Akanke Oseni, Rukayat Iyabo Jimoh, Ovbokhan Success, Iyoha (Lagos Bulls), Blessing Ajiriogjhene Umude, Adaolisa Thecular Onyedikachi,  Iliya Rachel, (Eko Trinity), Odiri Becky Okitikpe, Chinaza Blessing Abbah,  Abiola Christiana Obazuaye, Precious Endurance Ukwuom, (R2 Finesse), Elisabeth Adie ( Kano Lions), Grace Oreofe David (Zaria Bees)

20 September 2024

Kenya will have to win by nine points in Sunday’s rematch after going down 22-14 in the first-ever Women’s World Cup qualifier in Africa on Thursday afternoon, at the NY Centre in Nairobi. The victors on aggregate will go on to represent the continent in the inaugural 2025 World Series.

The hosts were 12-0 behind at the break but came out strongly in the second half to make it 16-14 after two tries in four minutes from winger Merisha Negesia, but outstanding loose forward Rachel Iliya’s second try for the Black Stallions saw them home.

Nigeria women’s head coach, Bolu Fagborun, said: “It was tough, I knew there would be periods in the game when we’d have to dig deep and credit to Kenya, they stuck in the game. We’re only halfway there, we’ve got two training sessions before Sunday and we’re going to work on some things we’ve seen in this first game. I think we’ve got more points in us and we’re going to concentrate on what we did in defence in the first half.”

In windy conditions, tries by Blessing Aladeyelu, who linked from fullback and stepped to the line and Precious Ukwuom, who went through a gap following a penalty, both converted by Blessing Umude, gave the visitors a two-score lead at the break as Kenya struggled to complete their sets.

Nigeria skipper, Rukayat Jimoh, noted: “We have prepared for this for so long. We are very happy that we won this first battle, but we expect the next one to be tougher than this. This is just the beginning, we have more to showcase.”

Kenya centre Lewin Amazimbi went over out wide as the they began a second half revival, Negesia’s tries either side of the hour mark responding to Iliya’s first, which also came from a penalty.

Kenya women’s head coach, Antonio Lombardo, said: “We didn’t do everything we wanted or needed to do at a given moment, but we showed that we could play. We made too many errors in the first half, but we sat down at the break and talked about what we needed to do and just fell short.”

Just as Kenya were searching for a winning score, they lost the ball on their own 20 and Eko Trinity’s Iliya went over by the posts from the base of the resulting scrum.

Lovinah Mijere, Kenya’s captain, noted: “It went well even though we lost, so we just need to work harder for Sunday’s game. We will be working on holding onto the ball and our defence.”

KENYA 14

Lawnisky Munayi, Moreen Atieno, Lovinah Mijere (c), Lewin Amazimbi, Merisha Negesia, Diana Omosso, Ann Ochieng, Mercy Khatenje, Milkah Chitechi, Dorris Kimani, Sophye Nabwire, Kerina Omala, Angel Salamba

Subs: Vivian Anyango, Susan Wangechi, Sharon Bosibori, Faith Oketch

Tries: Amazimbi (45), Negesia (58, 62)

Goals: Ochieng 1/3

NIGERIA 22

Blessing Aladeyelu ,Blessing Umude, Endurance Ukwuom, Lauretta Bayere, Perpetua Nwanna, Rukayat Akinade, Adaeze Inncoent, Shukurat Nojimu, Rukayat Jimoh (c), Chinaza  Abbah, Muinat Oseni, Abiola Obazuaye, Rachel Iliya

Subs: Becky Okitikpe, Success Iyoha, Elisabeth Adie, Adaolisa Onyedikachi

Tries: Aladeyelu (13), Ukwuom (26), Iliya (54, 69)

Goals: Umude 3/4

Half time: 0-12

Referee: Stephane Vincent (France)

20 September 2024