Paschal Hans Uzoma Ekeji (born 19 March 2002) is a South African rugby union footballer who played as a winger for Western Province. In December 2024, he joined the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme.
| Date of birth | 19 March 2002[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 94 kg (207 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Grey College | ||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
editHe is originally from Nigeria but grew up in Bloemfontein, South Africa where he attended Grey College and played rugby union for Free State in the Craven Week. He then attended Stellenbosch University.[3][4]
Career
editRugby Union
editHe was recruited by Western Province in 2020.[5] He played for Western Province U20 in the U20 Cup in the 2021-22 season.[6] That season, he also featured the senior Western Province side in the Toyota Challenge.[7] He went on to make his senior debut in the 2022 Currie Cup Premier Division for Western Province, making his debut against Lions in January 2022.[3][8] However, his progress was halted by a knee ligament injury which ruled him out of action for a year.[9]
NFL
editIn June 2022, he attended the first NFL Africa Camp in Accra, Ghana. He was described as a "6-foot-4, 210 pounds" and a potential wide receiver who "looked the part in every way…the size, [he] was smooth in and out of his breaks and…very coachable".[10] In December 2024, he was announced as joining the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme.[11][12][13]
Personal life
editHis younger brother Pretorius Ekeji is also a rugby union player.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Paschal Ekeji". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Paschal Ekeji". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Ekeji back in action after injury". Varsitycup.co.za. 28 March 2024.
- ^ "It's very much a full circle moment for me - Ekeji". ofm.co.za. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Pieke, Morgan (September 3, 2020). "White recruits well in Bloem". Bloemfonteincourant. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "U20 Cup wrap: Mngomezulu wins it for WP". sarugbymag.co.za. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Western Province's next generation on show vs Cheetahs". Sarugbymag. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Loose forward shake-up for Province". Rugby 365. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Paschal Ekeji back in action after injury lay-off". sport.sun.ac.za. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Jones-Drew, Maurice (Jun 24, 2022). "First NFL Africa Camp gives young athletes chance to show off football skills". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Petaia, Stona & Sexton named in NFL's 2025 IPP class". BBC Sport. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ^ "NFL announces International Player Pathway program Class of 2025". NFL. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Cronjé, Hendrik (8 Dec 2024). "Matie winger gets NFL chance". Netwerk24.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.