Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced the final list of fourteen players to represent the country in the Women’s T20 International tournament contested by six African nations.
The tournament programmed between 26 March to 4 April, 2022, at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos, Nigeria, will be competed with Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda The Trumpet gathered.
According to NCF which stated that the federation is adequately prepared for the tournament, 36 women were invited to a screening camp in Benin for over four weeks in preparation for the eventual team’s selection for the tournament.
On completion of the training, the number of players which was initially pruned down to 24 was finally reduced to the needed 18 after the last phase of the screening exercise.
In a statement by the NCF General Manager, Mr. Emeka Igwilo, the final 14 players were announced after a series of training and trial matches, to ensure that the best was selected to represent Nigeria in this tournament.
Throwing more light on the model adopted to pick the successful crop of players to make up the team for the T20I tournament, the federation stated that the Nigerian team comprises a blend of youth, energy, and experience.
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However, the Nigeria team includes Blessing Etim, Nigeria’s longest-serving player leading the team as Captain, Omonye Asika (Vice-Captain), Salome Sunday, Agatha Obulor, Mary Desmond, Kehinde and Taiwo Adulquadri, and Lucky Piety.
It is noteworthy to divulge that Udeh Lillian, a revelation from the National Under-17 championship, has broken into the senior women’s team at her first attempt after her exploits during the age – grade tournament earlier this year in Abuja.
According to the fixture for the tournament, Nigeria in its opening Group A match will play against West African rivals Sierra Leone on Monday, March 28 by 9:30am and against Ghana for its second Group A match on March 29 same time.
FINAL LIST OF 14 PLAYERS
1. Blessing Etim – Captain
2. Omonye Asika – Vice captain
3. Kehinde Abdulquadri
4. Piety Lucky
5. Abigail Igbobie
6. Agatha Obulor
7. Salome Sunday
8. Oseyande Omonkhobhio
9. Taiwo Abdulquadri
10. Rachael Samson
11. Udeh Lillian
12. Miracle Imimole
13. Mary Desmond
14. Favour Eseigbe
FIXTURE
Group A. Group B
Nigeria. Rwanda
Ghana. Cameroon
Gambia. Sierra Leone
SCHEDULE
Saturday, 26 March Teams Arrive
Sunday 27 March Practise/Meetings/
Opening Functions
Monday 28 March
Nigeria vs Ghana (Group A)
Rwanda vs Cameroon (Group B)
Tuesday 29 March
Gambia vs Nigeria (Group A)
Cameroon VS Sierra Leone (Group B)
Wednesday 30 March
Ghana vs Gambia (Group A)
Sierra Leone vs Rwanda (Group B)
Thursday 31 March
Rest Day
Friday 1 April
Game1 Double Header 5/6 Position
Game 2 DH 5/6 Position
Saturday 2 April
1st Gp A vs 2nd Gp B
1st Gp B vs 2nd Gp A
Sunday 3 April
3rd Place
Finals
Monday 4 April
Teams Depart
