A Portuguese club, RC Montemor, has signed a player of Cowrie Rugby Football Club of Lagos, ThankGod Okafor. The club said that the Black Stallions center and winger had been in top form since he began playing for them.
According to NRFF, the club currently plays in the Portuguese Premier Division. Montemor made the move in December 2017 after Okafor satisfied the club management in trials, and thereafter, an agreement was reached with the player through his club.
Okafor was born in Nigeria, but he grew up in South Africa’s Durban province. He joined Sharks Rugby Academy in 2012 at the age of 18 and continued to develop through the ranks. He later joined Varsity College in 2015 and Cowrie Rugby Club in 2016.
Technical Director of the NRFF, Ntiense Williams described the move as a good one for the player and also for the National team (Black Stallions). He noted that Okafor move to Portugal, a country that has standard infrastructure for the development of rugby, would be a good platform to raise the performance of the winger. He stated that the player had a bright chance to be selected to represent Nigeria in future.
Also speaking on Okafor’s contract, Nigeria Rugby Team captain and Cowrie RFC player, Azeez Ladipo, stated that the signing of Okafor in the Portuguese league was a reflection that Nigeria has abundant talents in the domestic scene. “Okafor move to Portugal is good for rugby in Nigeria.
This contract would go a long way to impact positively on the National Rugby team. All the players in Cowrie RFC wish him the best. Okafor is a talented rugby player, he would excel in the Portuguese league,” he said.