By Obong Ntiense Williams (Mr Rugby) 9.10.2026
Nigeria’s Sevens Rugby National Team “The Stallions” finished 10th overall in the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series which ended 4th Oct in Mauritius, dropping 3 places from its 7th position in the One of 12 teams in 2025.
TWO LEGS
In the crucial HSBC SVNS 3 Qualifier leg in Kampala (September 27), Nigeria placed 6th of 8 teams – 2 wins, 3 losses, 77 points scored, 108 conceded, beating Ghana 19-12 but losing 5th-place to Tunisia.
Zimbabwe won the Uganda leg 26-19 vs Uganda to claim Africa’s sole ticket to HSBC SVNS 3 2027. Kenya beat Madagascar 15-12 in Mauritius to win their 7th African title.
After the two hard legs in Kampala and Mauritius, Nigeria’s men’s sevens finished 10th in Africa Standings for 2026. It’s not where we want to be, but it’s the reality check we need.
In the all-important SVNS 3 qualifier leg in Uganda on September 27, Nigeria came 6th of 8 teams – two wins, three losses, 77 scored, 108 conceded. Nigeria beat Ghana 19-12 to avoid the wooden spoon but lost the 5th-place playoff to Tunisia.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe did what Nigeria must learn to do – they won the Uganda leg 26-19 beating the hosts Uganda and booked Africa’s only ticket to HSBC SVNS 3 for 2027, whilst Kenya went on to beat Madagascar 15-12 in Mauritius to become African Champions for the 7th time.
FINALE RANKING
Combined final ranking: 1. Kenya, 2. Madagascar, 3. South Africa A, 4. Burkina Faso, 5. Zimbabwe, 6. Uganda, 7. Morocco, 8. Zambia, 9. Tunisia, *10. Nigeria*, 11. Senegal, 12. Ghana.
CONSEQUENCE
Nigeria missed SVNS 3 again. That tier in Dubai this January had Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Madagascar and others fighting for promotion to SVNS 2 where Kenya, USA, Germany and Uruguay are currently battling. Nigeria wasn’t there.
SETBACK & REASONS
Yes it is a huge setback, but not surprising. Nigeria camped for 2 weeks. Kenya camped for 3 months and played 20 international games. Our boys had two home-based, with one player wining the MVP for Nigeria, without any domestic structure for games by the Rugby Federation. The foreign based were not fit as was very clarring with several unnecessary miss tackles and not professionals as opposed to the Kenyans and Zimbabweans.
PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE
Prospect for 2027 is Bright, if we get serious. The core of this team is 23 years old. The 2027 Africa Cup is the gateway to HSBC SVNS 3 and the LA 2028 Olympics pre-qualifiers. The top 4 teams will guarantee us a partway to the world stage.
We need early preparation, a proper Sevens Academy is highly needed for both male & female rugby players and private money / sponsorship which will follow the Kenyan & Zimbabwe’s model.
It is quite unfortunate that Rugby was excluded from the only event that would have provided an ultimate test for our domestic players at the National Sports Festival in Enugu in November (27 Nov – 11 Dec) which would have been our best selection ground. Unfortunately rugby will be out of the next 3 National Sports Festival after the Coal City Games.
VERDICT
Here is what needs to be done if we want to grow our rugby to the international level and start attracting the much needed attention with the appriopriate funding.
*Challenges & Prospects for 2027*
To qualify for HSBC SVNS 3 2027/28 and LA 2028 Olympics pre-qualifiers, Nigeria must:
– Finish Top 4 in Africa Sevens 2027 (likely in Mauritius again).
– Reduce PA to <70 in group phase – requires conditioning coach and GPS tracking.
– Secure at least 2 World Rugby Challenger warm-up tournaments in Dubai / SA in Q1 2027.
– Formalize Sevens Academy (U20) through the Intermediate Games framework- Kenya’s success is built on Shujaa Academy and Safari Sevens. International Tournaments or go for foreign International Tournaments.
– Commercial: Zimbabwe model shows $150k sponsorship can fund 3-month European camp and qualification.
HISTORY
This year Rugby Africa changed to a *2-leg structure* announced 9th July 2026 to strengthen competitiveness.
*Uganda Edition (Kyadondo, 27 Sept) – SVNS 3 Qualifier: * 8 Teams – Zimbabwe, Uganda, Morocco, Zambia, Tunisia, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana
*Mauritius Edition (Labourdonnais, 3-4 Oct) – Championship Final:* 8 Teams – Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa A, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Reunion, etc
*Why reduced from 12 to 8?*
1. *Postponement & Health:* The original June 2026 tournament at SPARC Complex, Cascavelle was postponed following consultations between Rugby Africa, Mauritius Rugby Union, Mauritian government and World Rugby amid evolving public health situation. When it was rescheduled for October, they cut to a reduced eight-team field compared in two centers from the initial 12 teams scheduled.
2. *New SVNS Format:*
World Rugby introduced 3-tier HSBC SVNS. Africa now only needs 1 team for SVNS 3 Qualifier leg, so they split the field – lower-ranked teams (like Nigeria) played in Uganda for the World Qualifier slot, top-ranked teams played in Mauritius for the African title.
3. *Cost & Uganda Absence:* Uganda, who were part of original line-up, did not feature in the rescheduled Mauritius tournament, leaving Kenya as only East African representative. To save cost, Mauritius Rugby Union asked for smaller field.
That’s why Nigeria in 2025 played against Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar in same tournament and finished 7th, but in 2026 you were grouped only with Zimbabwe, Uganda, Morocco, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana in Uganda Leg – no chance to meet Kenya / SA – and finished 6th of 8, 10th overall combined.
In short: *12 teams in 2025 vs 8+8 split format in 2026 – due to postponement and new World Rugby qualification structure.*
For context: COMPARISM 2024, 2025, & 2026
– *2024:* 1. Uganda, 2. South Africa, 3. Madagascar, 4. Zimbabwe… *11. Nigeria*, 12. Burkina Faso (Mapou, Mauritius – n/a score format)
– *2025:* *7. Nigeria* OUT OF 12 TEAMS- our best since 2019
– *2026:* *10. Nigeria overall* (6th in Uganda Leg of 8 teams) – drop of 3 places