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Green Falcons Whitewash Ireland to Reach IRL World Series Final

Posted : 23 October 2025
Nigeria’s women’s rugby league team, the Green Falcons, secured a place in the International Rugby League World Series final.

The Nigerian women's Rugby League national team, the Green Falcons, have qualified for the International Rugby League (IRL) World Series final after a dominant 10-0 victory over Ireland at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Canada.

Fedelia Omoghan opened the scoring for Nigeria with a try late in the first half, though Australian-based Shondell Akhabue missed the conversion, leaving the score at 4–0. Ranked 17th in the world, the Green Falcons held firm to preserve their lead against 8th-ranked Ireland going into halftime.

Ireland applied pressure throughout the second half, but Nigeria’s defense remained resolute. The breakthrough came when captain Rachael Illya capitalized on a loose ball, sprinting 65 yards to score Nigeria’s second try. Akhabue then successfully converted to seal a 10–0 win for the West African side.

Following the match, Shondell Akhabue expressed her pride in representing Nigeria and the emotional significance of the victory. “It means so much to the nation itself. When that final whistle went, I broke down in tears — it just meant everything,” she said.

Team captain Blessing Aladeyelu also reflected on the team’s achievement, describing the victory as a historic moment for Nigerian women’s rugby league. “It’s a blessing to me, the team, and to Nigeria. Beating Ireland, a team with a long rugby tradition, is a huge deal. Our unity and shared goal to make Nigeria proud made the difference,” she added.

Nigeria will now face Fiji in the IRL World Series final, after Fiji defeated Canada 48–0 in the other semifinal. However, the Green Falcons will be without Blessing Umude, who sustained an injury during the match against Ireland.

The winner of the final will claim the eighth and final spot at the 2026 International Rugby League World Cup, set to take place in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The Green Falcons are already the champions of the Middle East and Africa region, marking Nigeria’s growing prominence in world rugby league.

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