The final roster for the 2023 Nigeria Cricket Federation T20i invitational tournament, which takes place in Lagos from March 25 to April 3 has been announced by Leke Oyede, head coach of the Female Yellow Greens.
The 14 players on the team are led by team captain Blessing Etim, with Naomi Memeh and Victory Igbinedion standing by.
As the first female in Nigeria to score a century in any format, Lucky Piety, a teenage sensation and NCF U-17 championships winner, is also included due to her achievements at the ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup qualifier in 2022, where she set a record for the fastest century with 42 balls.
Other players in the list include Esther Sandy, Salome Sunday, Abigail Igbobie, Sarah Etim , Agatha Obulor, Favour Eseigbe, Adekunle Adeshola, Racheal Samson, Peculiar Agboya, Lilian Udeh, Rakayat Abdulrasaq and Chiyenum George.
Oyede had told ANAEDOONLINE that the list would be a blend of new and old players.
The Female Yellow Greens have been camping in Benin for the past three weeks ahead of the tournament as they hope to dethrone Rwanda, who beat them to the title by 51 runs last year.
“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 opponents,” Oyede said.
Nigeria begin their title chase for the third NCF Women’s T20i Invitational tournament with a clash against Sierra Leone March 27 at the renovated Tafawa Balewa Square cricket oval, Onikan, Lagos.
According to Oyede, the team is adequately prepared and the players in the final roster will be putting finishing touches to their drills before hostilities begin.
“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 opponents,” Oyede said.
Rwanda, defending champions of the tournament, will face Ghana later on the first day of the event.
Debutants Cameroon battle hosts Nigeria March 28 for their first match of the tournament, while Ghana square up against Sierra Leone for the second match of day two.
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March 30 has been designated as a rest day; after each of the teams would have tested at least two of their four opponents in the 10-match series.
Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Chuma Anosike, expressed confidence that the tournament would be a show of good cricket and believes the Nigerian team would 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 event is supported by Access Bank, Lagos State Government, Alaro City, EKO Electricity Distribution Company, Pets Foundation, Aries Suites and Geregu Energy.
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