Kampala, Uganda -In a story that has captured the heart of Nigerian rugby, home-based star *Daniel John* was named *Most Valuable Player (MVP)* for the Nigeria team at the 2026 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Series in Kampala, Uganda.
Daniel John, the *One of the two domestic player* in the Stallions squad, beat a field made up almost entirely of foreign-based professionals to win the top individual honour with a hat-trick Trys. The Cowrie RFC back, who also plays for Wolverines,
Showtime Flag Football in Lagos and Edo State Rugby team, delivered a brilliant all-round display across two days of intense Sevens rugby scoring 3 Trys and a beautiful solo run Try in the match against Senegal which they narrowly won by 25 points to 22 points to impress the organisers to be awarded the Most Valuable Player Award for Nigeria.
His MVP award is a powerful statement. It comes against the backdrop of *no national rugby league, no President’s Cup and no domestic Sevens circuit in Nigeria for over four years and counting.*
> “Daniel’s award is not just a personal victory; it is a victory for every player training on empty fields in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Jos just to mention a few without a league to play in,” said Obong Ntiense Williams (Mr Rugby). “If one of the two home-based player can be MVP in an Africa Tournament, imagine what ten, twenty home-based players can do if we give them a proper national league and opportunities.”
*STALLIONS SHOW GRIT TO FINISH 6TH*
The Steve Lewis-coached Stallions finished 6th out of 8 nations, one place higher than their 7th-place finish in the 12-team 2025 edition in Mauritius.
*Nigeria’s Results – Kampala 2026:*
– *Day 1:* Nigeria 26-5 Ghana (WIN)
– *Day 1:* Nigeria 5-36 Morocco (LOSS)
– *Day 2:* Zimbabwe 26-14 Nigeria (LOSS vs eventual Champions)
– *Day 2:* Nigeria 25-22 Senegal (WIN) – 5th Place Semi-final
– *Day 2:* Tunisia 19-7 Nigeria (LOSS) – 5th Place Final
The team won 2 of 5 matches, showing massive resilience with a foreign-based squad blended with just two local player.
*THE BIG PICTURE*
Zimbabwe’s Cheetahs were crowned champions after beating hosts Uganda 26-19 in a thrilling final, booking Africa’s sole ticket to the *World Rugby HSBC SVNS 3* – the global promotion pathway to the HSBC SVNS World Series, Olympics and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
*WHY THIS MVP MATTERS FOR NIGERIAN RUGBY*
1. *Proof of Domestic Talent:* Daniel John’s MVP proves Nigeria does not need to depend 100% on diaspora players. Talent exists at home.
2. *Urgent Need for National League:* Without a league, we cannot discover the next Daniel John. A national 15s league and national Sevens circuit are critical to build depth for the Stallions.
3. *Fair Pathway:* Young players need regular, competitive games to be ready for Africa Cup selection in both Sevens and 15’s Rugby and for Women as well. Four years without games is killing the grassroots. Lest I forget, we had one at the British Rugby School at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos earlier this year.
The Stallions have done their part in Kampala. They have improved their ranking and raised our flag with a home-based hero as MVP even though it was with a leaser pool of teams which was four short of last year 12 nations tournament.
Now it is time for stakeholders – the NRFF, National Sports Commission, and private sponsors – to bring rugby back home and *restart the Nigerian Rugby League and individual tournaments to revive the game in the country*
Nigeria cannot continue to represent Africa with only two home-based player. We must produce more Daniel Johns in the Stalions.
*FINAL STANDINGS – 2026 AFRICA MEN’S SEVENS (Kampala Qualifier):*
1. Zimbabwe (Champions – Qualified for SVNS 3)
2. Uganda
3. Morocco
4. Zambia
5. Tunisia
6. *Nigeria*
7. Senegal
8. Ghana
_Note: South Africa and Kenya retain Africa’s 1st and 2nd ranking automatically as SVNS core teams. They, alongside Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Egypt, Namibia and Madagascar will compete in the second ranking tournament in Mauritius on Oct 3-4. 2026.
At the end of this tournament obviously South Africa and Kenya are already on first and second on the rankings becauce they are already on the World Rugby Sevens Series, thus the rankings based on points will be tabulated after next weekend Mauritius 3 – 4 October Tournament.
*Issued by:*
Obong Ntiense Williams
“Mr Rugby”
Nigeria Rugby Media
