The president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, said that the Nigerian junior national cricket team will learn from their mistakes and will bounce back for the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa next year.
Kenya’s Under 19 Men’s team defeated their Nigerian counterpart by 11 runs to lift the. International Cricket Council’s Africa Under 19 Men Division 2 Qualifier at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
The final match was reduced to 40 overs after the pitch took time to be fully ready for the game owing to overnight rain, but it boded well for the visitors who had chosen to bat first after winning the toss.
After containing the Nigerian bowler’s quest for early wicket, they eventually crumbled in the 35th over with 90 runs on the board, a total that the host couldn’t defend.
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“We would have love to win but we have taken our lesson and we will concentrate on rebuilding for the Division One qualifier in South Africa next year for the eventual World Cup ticket, ” Akpata said.
Kenya, Nigeria and Sierra Leone were the three qualifiers to the next stage of the World Cup spot chase where Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia are waiting.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the ministry would ensure cricket’s return to the National Sports Festival (NSF).
“It is necessary for cricket to be among the events of the NSF,” he said. “With all I have seen today (Saturday), there’s a clear justification to have cricket back. I will start that conversation with the Delta Governor and the (state’s) Sports Commission.
“We will meet and see what we can do, for what they have done and for the effort of these young athletes.
“We are on the global map of cricket,” he said.