Sir Edward Pam Fom promised the eagerly awaiting Nigerian Rugby fraternity that he would “build on the existing foundations” already laid by his predecessors but would not be scared to start new traditions himself. So far, he has cashed the cheques.
Of these, easily the most appreciated must be the illustrious Super Cup, which determines the champions of Nigeria.
Kaduna RFC, the first and the oldest club in the nation who, in winning the Northern League, have shown there are no cracks due to age, and the all-conquering Cowrie RFC, whose invincibility has become legendary, would contest this inaugural tournament tomorrow at the Mainbowl of the National Stadium, Lagos.
On paper and on current form, Cowrie will walk away with it tomorrow, but stranger results have been recorded in the past.
The excitement is not limited to the reputations of the combatants, as both teams adopt a style of play that appears to be the anti-thesis of each other. Cowrie with their compact driving forward play unleashing their exciting back line, led by “skipper supreme,” Azeez Ladipo, will cut through the most stubborn defenses.
Kaduna, hard, resolute and uncompromising with more than their fair share of physical intimidation, have dulled many a rapier in their time.
Coach Richard Raphael of Kaduna is under no illusions about the job that has to be done, but he openly sneers at those who label Kaduna as the underdogs.
He says: “If Cowrie ascend the arena brimming confidence that would be their undoing… we are here to disrupt their pattern of play and demoralize them, don’t forget they are now without Christian.”
Most, who have watched Kaduna, have a healthy respect for their fearsome tackling and turnover rate. Ironically, Richard believes an early score by Cowrie would be their undoing. “You can score too early,” he says, “and then start thinking of the result and not the match. We have the resilience to cope with anything… Cowrie will wake up too late.”
A man, who has played for both clubs, former captain of Kaduna and the Northern combined side, who spent his waning years plying his trade for the newly emerging Cowrie side, Simon Joseph, thinks it will be touch and go. He says, “If Cowrie maintain their discipline as they go through the phases, which is their usual game, they will be unstoppable, but Kaduna are the masters of disruption and some of their tackling can be devastating.”
Joseph believes Kaduna would win if they scored first, as Cowrie are not particularly good at playing catch up.
Will Cowrie suffer any setbacks from the loss of last season’s MVP, Christian Ogar, who now plays professionally in South Africa?
This match will be the culmination of the hard work and determination by the NRFF with the stalwart and unflinching sponsorship by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Ltd.
According to board President, Sir Edward Pam Fom, “I acknowledge that this would not have happened without CMB.”
The Managing Director of CMB, Kelechukwu Mbagwu, also a co-founder of Cowrie, has promised to stay completely neutral for this August occasion.
“I will only appear in my capacity as the chairman of the NRFF sponsorship and funding committee so I can only hope for a great game of rugby and a wonderful day out for the family,” he said.
In the absence of Christian Ogar, who has joined a South African club, Cowrie Rugby Football Club still boasts an intimidating line up that includes national team captain, Azeez Ladipo, Onoru Jatto and Afiz Ayinla, among others.
The CMB building and investment company sponsored Super Cup is a curtain raiser for the 2016 South West and Northern Leagues in Nigeria.
Speaking ahead of the match, Head coach of Cowrie RFC, Ofoha Joseph, told the NRFF official website that his players are in good shape following weeks of intensive training ahead of the game.
The confident Ofoha said the absence of his strong ball carriers Isaac Kato, Mathias Chijioke, Alaeto Obinna and Ogar will not in any way affect the team’s performance tomorrow.
“We saw this coming and so we already had a plan B, although, their absence will be felt, but I am confident that the likes of Samuel Ekpo, a Nigerian international, Michael Oloche and Olisa Nwokedi will step up and fill the vacuum conveniently.
“We also have the likes of Oduntan Olatunji, Onoru Jatto, National Team captain, Azeez Ladipo, and Hafis Ayinla, who has completed his suspension after his altercation with match officials in the 2015 President’s cup final.
Kaduna RFC, who replaced Barewa RFC after they were stripped off their title, will also bank on the experience of Captain Ibrahim Musa, Ogbole Felix Gabriel in their quest to win the first edition of the playoff.
Speaking ahead of the all-important encounter, head coach of the side, Richard Raphael said, “Cowrie are a tough side who have lots of good players and a lot of experienced players. We have to make sure that we are switched on and get our detail right. We will show Cowrie what the northern power is all about on Saturday. I believe my team has what it takes to win.”
This is the first occasion that the two clubs will meet.
In line with the federation’s plan to promote schools Rugby through the Get Into Rugby programme, there will be school boys Rugby 7s games from 1.00 pm on the match day.
But the big event will begin at the mainbowl of the National Stadium from 2.00 p.m.
