The Junior YellowGreens, Nigeria’s U19 cricket team, embarked on a pre-tournament tour to Kenya today, departing from Lagos for an intensive preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier. The qualifier tournament is set to take place from July 31 to August 11, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The team has been in a rigorous close camp, with mentoring support from the ex-Kenya International Collins Obuya fine-tuning their skills and strategies under the guidance of Head Coach Gim Daniel. Assisting him are Charles Obasi (Assistant Coach), Okechukwu Onwudiwe, the Team Analyst, and Barnaby Ephraim Umo, the Team Manager. This dedicated coaching staff aims to ensure that the Junior YellowGreens are well-prepared to face their competitors.
In the qualifier tournament, the Junior YellowGreens will compete in Group B, facing the host nation Tanzania, as well as Mozambique and Ghana. The team’s performance in these encounters will be crucial in their bid to advance to the next stage of the World Cup.
The pre-tournament tour in Kenya is designed to give the players an opportunity to acclimatize and gain valuable match experience against different playing styles. This tour will serve as the final phase of their preparation, allowing the team to refine their tactics and build on the cohesion developed during their training camp.
The Junior YellowGreens’ journey to the qualifier has been marked by dedication and hard work, and they are now set to showcase their talent on an international stage. The Nigerian cricket community eagerly anticipates their performance, hoping to see the team secure a spot in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup.