Akanimo Kufre
Despite winning two out of three matches played at the just concluded ICC T20 World Cup African qualifiers in Uganda, Nigeria finished third behind Namibia and Kenya. The senior men’s cricket team the “Yellow Greens” were at the verge of doing what Nigeria’s U19 cricket team did few months ago.
However heavy rain in Uganda cost Nigeria to abandon two matches and shared points with Namibia and Uganda and losing qualification to Namibia and Kenya who won their first 3 matches.
Nigeria’s head coach, Coach Uthe Ogbemi expressed his feelings as disappointing despite the team’s recovery effort after first lost game.
“We prepared well in Zimbabwe and thought we missed the Kenya game by whiskers.The momentum from the win against Botswana and Ghana meant we looked forward strong showing against Namibia and Uganda but the rain halted that plan.We look forward to the future with hope.” Ogbemi said.
Feelers from some cricket followers doubted Nigeria beating Namibians because the “Yellow Greens” lack consistent players.
In Nigeria first win against Botswana it was the duo of Isaac Okpe and Danladi Isaac that came to party. In the second win against West African rivals, Ghana, it was Captain Ademola Onikoyi, Vincent Adewoye, Yusuf and Isaac Okpe performances that saved the day.
Reacting to the inconsistent on the players performance and expected positives, Coach Ugbemi said, “Training continues.
Major drawback to consistent batting prowess is the lack of turf wickets in Nigeria.
Players will always need to acclimatize on tour and it takes different period for different players to assess fully the nature of the wicket on tour and apply themselves successfully under competition pressure,” he said.
Though held in very high esteem in international cricket platform because of recent developments in game of cricket, Nigeria will miss the historic chance of playing in ICC T20 International Cricket World Cup playoff to be hosted in United Arab Emirates in October through November 2019.
The host UAE and 13 countries like Scotland, Ireland, Oman, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong will play in UAE. The tournament offered 61 associate members team opportunity to play in 2020 ICC T20 International World Cup in Australia.
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