Safi team are champions of the 2023 Origins Cup, a prestigious rugby league tournament organised by the Rugby League Federation Ghana(RLFG). Safi defeated Giwa McNeil by 16-4 in a thrilling decider game at the Ajax Park of the University of Ghana.
The Origin series was a nail-biting affair, with both teams displaying their skills and determination. Giwa McNeil had won the first encounter by 10-4, while Safi had bounced back with a resounding 44-8 victory in the second match. The final game was a close contest, with Safi edging out Giwa McNeil by 10 points.
Safi captain, Riddick Alibah, expressed his joy after the game.
“It feels amazing to win the Origins Cup. It was a tough game, but we stuck to our game plan and executed it well. I’m proud of my teammates and coaches for their hard work and dedication. We also want to thank our fans for their support and encouragement throughout the series,” he said.
Giwa McNeil captain, Oliver Puman, congratulated Safi on their win.
“They played very well and deserved to win. We gave our best, but it was not enough today. We have learned a lot from this series and we will come back stronger next time. We also appreciate our sponsors and supporters for their generosity and loyalty,” he said.
The Rugby League Federation Ghana’s President, Juliana Storey, praised both teams for their performance and sportsmanship.
“This was a fantastic display of rugby league talent in Ghana. Both teams showed great skill, passion and respect for each other. They have also contributed to the development of rugby league in Ghana by participating in community events and health services. We congratulate Safi on their win and we look forward to selecting the best players for the national team,” she said.
The Origins Cup is a program which compliments the National Team talent identification pathway.
The three-game series puts the top 40 players from all clubs after the Mens 13s championship against each other, with players selected based on their performances during the Club Championships.
The two teams, Giwa McNeil and Safi pay homage to the great work and support for the RLFG carried out by The Middle East Africa Rugby League Regional Director – Remond Safi and The Giwa-McNeil family.
The Origins Cup was sponsored by various partners, including Firm Foods, Make Our Grass Green Foundation, Jibu Ghana, Ridge Medical Centre, and Haneft.
SAFI emerges victorious in the 2023 Men’s Origins Cup, defeating GIWA McNeil 16-4 in the final game! 🏉🏆 Kudos to both teams for an unforgettable series! 🎉👏 #OriginsCupChampions #rugbyleague
GAME STATS: https://t.co/nIGoUvIbQm pic.twitter.com/g1SEgieHC7
— Rugby League Federation Ghana (@GhanaRL) October 4, 2023
