# 2022 MEA Rugby League Championship

The 2022 Middle East-Africa Rugby League Championship was the third MEA Rugby League Championship, following the 2015 and 2019 tournaments, and the cancelled 2020 edition.
The competition was held between 27 September to 2 October 2022 in Ghana. Originally, the competition was going to see the return of the same four teams from the 2019 tournament; Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon and hosts Ghana. On 23 August 2022, Kenya were named to replace Morocco in the tournament when Morocco were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to governance issues. The winners of the tournament were intended join the next phase of qualification for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, however the 2025 World Cup ended up being cancelled.

## Participants

| Team | Coach | Previous Apps | Previous best result | World Ranking |
| Cameroon | Kahlil Njoya | 1 | First round (2019) | 36 |
| Ghana | Andy Gilvary | 1 | First round (2019) | 31 |
| Nigeria | Bolu Fagborun | 1 | Champions (2019) | 28 |
| Kenya | John Mbai | 0 | Debut | N/A |
* ↑ IRL World Rankings are as of July 2022.

## Squads

On 14 September 2022, each competing nation announced their squads for the tournament.

### Cameroon

Jean Claude Bidjana, Armel Damdja, Cyrille Kamole, Nzokou Martial, Hermand Nguele, Patrick Nkouak, Lamare Oudi (Bulls RL), Emmanuel Tientchue (Gorilla RL), Mouhamed Embella, Christian Tedjou, Loic Tsasse (Guepard RL), Philippe Ambassa, Bekolo Elie Jean Bliase, Ledoux Fosso, Fabrice Joufang, Frank Watio (Panda RL) Pitoile Assomo, Paul Atungsiri Ndifor, Georgane Ngoufack (Rock RL) Carol Manga, Khalil Njoya (Unattached).

### Ghana

Yakubu Suleman (Accra Majestics), Jonas Moorkaar (Accra Panthers), Anane Benjamin, Bawa Bright, Geotrah Desmond, Collins Ofosu, Nigel Sackey (Bulls), Levi Osei (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sean Sabutey (Glebe Dirty Reds), Oliver Puman (Nungua Tigers), Jonathan Adotey, Philip Asomani, John Bless Mensah (Pirates), Emmanuel Acheampong, Riddick Alibah, Jordan Annan, William Pearce Biney, Chris da Gama, Francis Lawson,David Nartey (Skolars), Isaac Akuoko (Wyong Roos).

### Kenya

Denish Ndinya (AP), John Awiti Oketch, Raymond Ekutu (Rhinos), Tony Khadambi, Brony Lucky, Timothy Thimba (Ruffians), Joel Inzuga, Eliakim Kichoi, Celestine Mboi, Floyd Wambwire, (Sharks), James Maranga, Ramadan Masete, Finely Mokoro, Remi Odhiambo, Victor Odhiambo, Philimon Olang, Paul Seda (Winam), Horus Alela, Ahmed Hamed, Collin Ochieng, Wyclif Ratemo (Wolves).

### Nigeria

Anthony Tuoyo Egodo (Birmingham Mosley RFC), Michael Ayodeji Ogunwole (British Army), Abdullah Balogun (Castleford Tigers), Kalu Shedrack Agwu (Eko Trinity), Daniel Okoro (Hull KR), Jude Abrakson, Emmanuel Onyekwe Ebuk, Julius Godwin, Nuhu Ibrahim, Gabriel John, Issa Omale, Ibrahim Suraju, Bashir Usman, Obi Wilsom (Kano Lions), Azuka Chika, Daniel John, Isah Lawal-Saulawa (Bedford Tigers), Olisa Nwokedi, Kelvin Olisa, Akeem Yusuf (Lagos Haven), Rio-Osayomwanbo Christoper Corkill (St Helens).

## Bracket

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final |
| Ghana | 26 | | |
| Kenya | 6 | | |
| Kenya | 6 | Ghana | 4 |
| | | Nigeria | 30 |
| Nigeria | 36 | Nigeria | 30 |
| Cameroon | 2 | Third place | Third place |
| | | Kenya | 16 |
| | | Cameroon | 0 |

## Fixtures
### Semi-finals

* 27 September 2022 13:00 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| Ghana | 26–6 | Kenya |
| Tries: Bless, Acheampang (2), Da Gama Odun(2) Goals: Da Gama Odun (3) | Report (ERL) | Tries: Matua Goals: Hamed |
* University of Ghana Sports Grounds, Accra Referee: Aaron Moore (England)
* 27 September 2022 15:30 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| Nigeria | 36–2 | Cameroon |
| Tries: Gabriel, Godwin, Lawal, Ayodeji (3), Okoro Goals: Gabriel (3) | Report (ERL) | Goals: Nkouak |
* University of Ghana Sports Grounds, Accra Referee: Aaron Moore (England)

### Third place play-off

* 1 October 2022 12:00 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| Kenya | 16–0 | Cameroon |
| Tries: Olang, Bryon (2), Iuzuga | Report (ERL) | |
* University of Ghana Sports Grounds, Accra Referee: Aaron Moore (England)

### Final

* 1 October 2022 14:30 GMT (UTC±00:00)
| Ghana | 4–30 | Nigeria |
| Tries: Bless Mensah (44') Goals: John (3) | Report (ERL) | Tries: Egodo (15'), Ayodeji (20'), Okoro (25'), Omale (39'), Ayodeji (67'), Lawal (76') |
* University of Ghana Sports Grounds, Accra Referee: Aaron Moore (England)