Nigeria Senior Women’s Cricket team will launch their title chase for the 3rd NCF Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament with a tie with Sierra Leone today at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, in Lagos.
Local Organising Committee Chairman, Barrister Chuma Anosike, said he was confident that the tournament would be a show of good cricket, adding the Women’s Yellow Greens will give a good account of themselves at the event.
“It would be my joy for the Nigerian team to win but a good tournament for me will be one that all teams have a good experience,” he said.
The tournament is supported by Access Bank, Lagos State Government, Alaro City, EKO Electricity distribution company, Pets Foundation, Aries Suites, and Geregu Energy.
Meanwhile, team’s coach Leke Oyede said that the team that has been in camp for three weeks, are battle ready for the event.
“When the team files out against Sierra Leone, my job is to present a confident and disciplined side. Most of the players on the team are well-exposed, and we have planned to win every match we enter at the event, irrespective of our opponent,” he said.
Also, defending-champion of the tournament, Rwanda will face Ghana later today on the first day of the event.
Debutant, Cameroon will face host Nigeria tomorrow in their first match of th-tournament while Ghana will square-up with Sierra Leone for the second match of day two.
In the meantime,
Thursday has been designated as a rest day; after each of the teams would have tested at least two of their four opponents in the ten-match series.
“Last year’s experience at the event is what we are building on,” AAnosik further said.“And beyond the action on the pitch, we have plans to make the rest day a memorable one, and we are glad that some of our partners are supporting us to make this a key part of the event.” he added
Nigeria’s matches against Ghana and Rwanda, are scheduled for the second phase of the event; on Friday, March 31st , and Saturday, April 1st respectively.
Oyede said: “I believe those matches will weigh in more on winning the event or not, and we have prepared so far to win, so expect a more experienced team and an interesting encounter in all.”
Rwanda and Nigeria are the two highest-ranked T20i teams at the event, they sit on the log at 27th and 29th respectively; while Sierra Leone is 28th . Ghana and Cameroon Women’s national teams are currently not ranked by the International Cricket Council.