Nigeria in Rwanda to defend African under-19 cricket title

The Junior Yellow Greens, Nigeria’s under-19 cricket team, yesterday arrived in Rwanda to begin the defence of the title which earned the country its first Cricket World Cup appearance. The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), in a statement by its spokesman, Musa Ehizoje, said the team arrived in Rwanda from Zimbabwe. He added that the team […]

The Junior Yellow Greens, Nigeria’s under-19 cricket team, yesterday arrived in Rwanda to begin the defence of the title which earned the country its first Cricket World Cup appearance.

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), in a statement by its spokesman, Musa Ehizoje, said the team arrived in Rwanda from Zimbabwe.

He added that the team had been in Zimbabwe on a 10-day pre-tournament tour in preparation for the championship.

It said the winners of the event would pick the last available ticket for the continent to the ICC U-19 Cricket Championship in 2022.

According to NCF, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and hosts Rwanda would compete in the eight-day tournament which begins on Thursday.

Nigeria’s coach, Uthe Ogbimi, according to the statement, said he was optimistic about their chances, adding that the team was well prepared and would take it one game at a time.

“We are going to this ICC Under-19 Africa World Qualifiers as the defending champions and that puts a lot of attention on us. We know that. But our plan is to take every game on its merit,” he said.

Nigeria’s opening match at the event is billed for Friday against hosts Rwanda, before taking on Tanzania on Sunday.

The Junior Yellow Greens will face Uganda on Monday before closing the event against Namibia on Wednesday.