The Green Falcons of Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday, thrashing the Leopardess of Ghana 40–0 in the opening match of their two-game international test series at the Alaro City Rugby Pitch in Lagos.

Unbeaten against Ghana in all previous encounters, Nigeria wasted no time asserting control. The Falcons led 12–0 at halftime before cutting loose in the second half, showcasing pace, power, and precision. Faustina Akeje of the Canterbury Bulldogs and Lauretta Bayere of the Lagos Bulls each crossed the line twice, spearheading an attacking onslaught that left the visitors struggling to cope.

Head coach Luke Shearman hailed the victory as a reflection of the team’s rapid progress and growing confidence ahead of the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series later this month in Canada.

 “Today’s game reflected how far we’ve come in a short time,” Shearman said. “We made some errors, but the team showed great resilience and commitment to keep pushing through. Once we found our rhythm, it was rewarding to see the hard work pay off on the field. There’s still plenty to improve before Saturday, but this was a valuable test and an important step forward for the squad.”

Despite the heavy defeat, Ghana’s team manager Riddick Alibah praised his players for their fighting spirit and expressed optimism ahead of the return leg.

“The ladies played with heart and commitment,” Alibah said. “The scoreline didn’t reflect their effort, but it was a good performance overall. Missing some key players was a setback, yet those who stepped in gave everything. We’ll learn from this, build on it, and come back stronger on Saturday.”

The series concludes on Saturday, October 11, also in Lagos, after which Nigeria will travel to Canada for the World Series semi-final against Ireland on October 21. The winner will face Canada or Fiji on October 26, with a 2026 Rugby League World Cup slot on the line.