Nigerian women’s Rugby League player Shondell Akhabue has described the team’s historic 10–0 victory over Ireland — which sealed their place in the International Rugby League (IRL) World Series final — as a deeply emotional and defining moment in her career.

The Green Falcons’ triumph at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Canada, saw them become the first African nation to reach the final of the prestigious tournament.

Reflecting on the landmark win, the Australia-based Akhabue said the achievement carried immense personal and national significance.

“It means so much to the nation itself. You could just tell by our reaction when that final whistle went,” Akhabue said. “For me personally, I’m half Nigerian and based in Australia. I don’t really know much about my Nigerian culture, but I didn’t think it was going to mean as much as it did when that whistle went. If I’m being completely honest, I just broke down in tears. It meant so much to me.”

The powerful forward spoke about the pride of representing her heritage and the unity within the squad despite their diverse backgrounds.

“Just seeing how happy I made the girls — how happy we all made each other — made me feel something so whole inside. It was such a blessing to experience it, to still be experiencing it, and to move on to the next step,” she added.

Nigeria’s Green Falcons will now face Fiji in the IRL World Series final, after the Fijians powered past Canada 48–0 in the second semifinal.

The final promises to be a thrilling encounter as both nations aim to etch their names in Rugby League history.