A three-week camp has prepared Nigerian players for a life-changing opportunity in the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series 2025 in Canada as they aim to become the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup.

Nigeria will meet Ireland on Tuesday, October 21 at Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Ontario, with the winner to face the victor of the Canada-Fiji qualifier in a play-off five days later for the eight and final women’s berth at IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026.

For many of the Green Falcons squad, the flight to Toronto via Doha was the first time they had been on a plane and the winter conditions in Canada are expected to be a challenge for the team too.

However, Nigeria have spent three weeks training and playing a two-match series against Ghana to ready themselves for the chance of a life-time as they perform on the world stage against NRLW and Women’s Super League players.

“Most of these women haven’t played outside of Africa but in terms of their athleticism, power and what they are playing for, it is a whole different world,” Nigerian coach Bolu Fagborun said.

“It is not just playing for a World Series or qualifying for the World Cup, these women are playing for the chance to change their whole lives - the opportunity you can have in sports by being able to prove to people outside of Africa that these are potentially elite athletes.

“There’s nothing better than playing against women who are playing in the Women’s Super League in England, women who are playing NRLW or playing at the top tier in their own countries. It’s a real opportunity to test where they are at.”

Some players have taken months off work to give themselves the best possible chance of seizing the opportunity to play in the World Series.

The athleticism and fitness of the players has exceeded the expectations of Fagborun and assistant coach Luke Shearman, who is involved in female pathways at Wests Tigers.

The Green Falcons will be bolstered by the inclusion of three heritage players from Australia, two from England and two from Canada.

“The girls have had a three-week camp, Luke has got them in really good shape and they blew away Ghana (40-0) in the first game. It got a bit close in the second game (24-8) but we expected that,” Fagborun said.

“We have been working on not just beating Ghana but the process and just gelling the team together, to be fair.

“We have got some home-based players and some international players, so we are trying to work out everyone’s strengths and how to utilize them.

“Some of the women have played in positions for years but now that we have a couple more players we can play them in the positions they are best suited to and target what they are really good at.

“We have got some fantastic athletes, and they have been doing double-day sessions all the way through so conditioning wise they are in really good nick.”

After months of preparation and planning, including a trip by Fagborun to Australia to meet with Shearman and recruit heritage players, potential sponsors and government support, all of their work is about the come to fruition.

“I am hoping that we can really express ourselves and show some of that real power and athleticism that the girls possess. What I have to do is make sure we do that in the right places,” Fagborun said.

“I think the international players will really add to the rugby league IQ of the team.

“We have got two games to win and we will be at the World Cup. I think everyone has got a shot and if any team turns up thinking it’s going to be a holiday in Canada they are in for a shock.

“These girls have been in camp for a month, so they are ready. Some of them have taken six months off work so there is a whole level of commitment and time preparing for this.

“A lot of people have talked about the potential of players in Africa. We want to show people that we can go from potential to execution.”

Nigeria squad

Faustina Akeje (Canterbury Bulldogs), Rachel Iliya, Endurance Ukwuoma, Blessing Umude (Eko Trinity), Chinaza Abbah, Rukayat Akinade, Blessing Aladeyelu, Lauretta Bayere, Adaeze Innocent (Lagos Bulls), Danyelle Shobanjo (London Broncos), Fedelia Omoghan (Ontario Ospreys), Catherine Akeje (Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers), Adeola King (Ottawa Tigers Rl), Vera Akhihiero, Success Iyoha, Abiola Obazuaye, Becky Okitikpe, (R2 Finesse Academy), Favour Irimagha (Sheffield Eagles), Shondell Akhabue (Wentworthville Magpies), Siobhan Sheerin (Unattached).