As the series of international tournaments comes in thick and fast for Nigeria, the Federation has moved to prepare early as the look to participate in an international Tri series featuring Kenya and Host Uganda. The tri Series will take place from 7th -18th September in Kampala, where Nigeria will look to feature in her first international competition since the pandemic lock down.
14 players have been invited from the robust list of 20 Senior Men’s team to execute this mission. The new team selected will feature some familiar faces while new inclusions from the history making under-19 team from 2020 world cup in South Africa have also been promoted. Joshua Ayannaike retains his spot as Captain with experienced players like Chimezie Onwuzilike, Sesan Adedeji and Isaac Okpe, all making the cut. New inclusions will also feature leg spin bowler, Odion Isesele as he hopes to make his international debut for the country.
List of 14 players invited:
1 JOSHUA AYANNAIKE (C)
2 SLYVESTER OKPE
3 ISAAC OKPE
4 CHIMEZIE ONWUZULIKE
5 PETER AHO
6 VINCENT ADEWOYE
7 DANIEL AJEKUN
8 JIMOH ABDULRAHMAN
9 PROSPER USENI
10 ODION ISESELE
11 TAIWO MOHAMMED
12 SULAIMON RUNSEWE
13 MUSTAPHA YUSSUF
14 SESAN ADEDEJI
Speaking to the captain of the Nigerian team Joshua Ayannaike, he spoke briefly on what to expect from the team. “Uganda and Kenya are top Cricket nations in Africa and our expectation in this Series is to compete strongly with these teams. This is perhaps the best experience a young side like ours can get around in preparation for the upcoming ICC world T20 qualifiers in November”
Asanka Gurusinha, Nigeria head coach and High performance Manager will be in charge of his first assignment since his recruitment in December 2020, he had this to say.
‘’After nearly 2 years, Nigeria is playing competitive cricket and we will be using this tournament as preparation for the ICC qualifiers in November. I am looking forward to playing 2 top sides and competing against them. It is an exciting time and I know it is my first overseas assignment; we will be focusing on each player performing what we have been working on. This is the first time I will see the players playing competitive cricket and as a team, we will be concentrating on areas we can control and executing our plans.
Nigeria will take a second shot at the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Rwanda from the 15th – 21st November 2021 at the Gahanga Cricket Oval in Kigali, the country’s capital.
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