By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Zazzau Selection emerged champions of the 2026 Lilleker 10s Rugby Tournament after edging Barewa RFC 8-5 in a thrilling final held at the Zaria Elephant Rugby Training Pitch in Kaduna State.
The one-day competition, hosted by Zaria Rugby Club, featured six teams from across Northern Nigeria and highlighted the steady growth of grassroots and club rugby in the region.
Zazzau Selection booked their place in the final with a commanding 38-0 victory over Kaduna RFC, while Barewa RFC secured a dominant 43-0 win against hosts Zaria RFC. In the third-place playoff, Kaduna RFC recovered from their semi-final defeat to beat Zaria RFC 12-5 and claim the bronze medal.
The championship decider lived up to expectations as Zazzau Selection held their nerve to defeat Barewa RFC 8-5 and lift the coveted Lilleker 10s trophy.
The final standings saw Zazzau Selection finish first, Barewa RFC second, Kaduna RFC third, and Zaria RFC fourth.
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) congratulated the champions and praised Zaria Rugby Club, tournament sponsors, participating teams, match officials, volunteers and supporters for staging a successful competition, describing the tournament as another important step in strengthening grassroots rugby development in Northern Nigeria.
