ABUJA – Uthe Ogbimi, Head Coach of Nigeria Cricket team, said in Abuja on Thursday that his team’s goal was to regain promotion to Division One of the Regional Twenty20 (T-20) tournament.
The team is preparing ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) – Africa Cricket Association (ACA) Division Two T-20 tournament.
The tourney is scheduled to hold in Benoni, South Africa from Sept. 20 to 27.
Ogbimi, who spoke to NAN during the team’s training session at the Package B of the National Stadium, Abuja, said the team used to be in Division One of the tournament, but got relegated.
“T-20 is a shorter type or form of the game. Last year, we were in Division One which is the highest in Africa but were relegated to Division two.
“Our aim now is to win this tournament and go back to Division One.
“This will also enable us to have a chance at the World Cup qualifiers in T-20 in Dubai next year and this may be Nigeria’s shortest route to a World Cup in cricket’’, Ogbimi said. [eap_ad_1] The head coach also noted that the team was in high spirit, adding that there was no room for complacency.
“It is a competition that we are expected to win, so we are trying to cut off complacency and over confidence.
“ We want to make sure that the players’ concentration is high.
“I can assure you that the boys are ready to give 110 per cent in the field when we get to South Africa’’, he said.
The coach noted that 16 players with two on standby as well as two officials, had been selected by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) to participate in the tourney.
The selected players include: Kunle Adegbola (Captain),Emmanuel Okwudili (Vice-Captain), Segun Olayinka, Olajide Bejide, Osita Onwuzulike, Oluseye Olympio and Joshua Ogunlola.
Others are: Saheed Akolade, Adeleke Oyede, Joshua Ayannaike, Isaac Okpe, Yusuf Gashon, Ovie Osuaso and Sesan Adedeji, while Chibuike Iteogu and Femi Oduyebo are both on standby.
The two officials accompanying the team are Uthe Ogbimi (Head Coach), and Sanmi Ajayi (Team Manager).
Nigeria is expected to go against Ghana, Swaziland, Mozambique, Seychelles and Zambia.
The team is camping in Abuja and is expected to leave for South Africa ahead of the tournament on Friday. (NAN)
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