The Nigeria Rugby League Association (NRLA) has announced plans to stage the Africa All-Stars Exhibition Match, a significant event aimed at celebrating the expansion and solidarity within women's rugby league across Africa.
The highly anticipated game is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 19, at Alaro City in Lagos. This location is a substantial mixed-use development situated within the Lekki Free Zone.
This exhibition match will pit the Africa All-Stars against Nigeria's national women's team, the Green Falcons. The Green Falcons are recognized as one of the top developing nations in rugby league globally.
The event arrives at a crucial juncture for African rugby league, following a period of considerable success for the Green Falcons internationally. The Nigerian team recently achieved a historic qualification for the Rugby League World Series in Canada, making them the first African women's team to reach this milestone. They also secured a silver medal at the global tournament, establishing Nigeria and Africa as emerging powers in the sport.
The Africa All-Stars team is a testament to growing continental collaboration, featuring elite female athletes from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Uganda. This selection underscores the expanding influence of rugby league and heralds a new era of opportunity, recognition, and high performance for women in the sport across Africa.
According to event organizers, the exhibition match is expected to draw considerable international attention. Representatives from the International Rugby League are slated to attend, further emphasizing the sport's increasing global significance on the continent.
Beyond the competition itself, the event is intended as a showcase of African talent and the progress being made in women's sports. It aims to inspire a new generation of female athletes and reinforce Nigeria's leading role in advancing rugby league throughout Africa.
NRLA Chairman, Abiodun Olawale-Cole, described the match as a pivotal moment for the sport in Africa. "The Africa All-Stars Exhibition Match is more than just a game; it's a celebration of our collective journey as a continent," he stated. "The Green Falcons' groundbreaking qualification for the World Series and their remarkable silver medal performance on the world stage have demonstrated the immense capability of African talent."
He added, "Bringing players from across Africa together to compete against our national team here in Lagos is a momentous occasion for the sport and offers a preview of its future. We encourage everyone to be a part of this historic event."
The NRLA has extended an invitation to fans, families, partners, and the broader sports community to attend the match and witness what is anticipated to be a significant display of African excellence and unity in women's rugby league.
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