NCF: Nigeria, Sierra Leone ties will improve cricket growth

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) says the T-20 bilateral ties between Yellow-Greens, the national men’s cricket team, and their Sierra Leonean counterparts are aimed at developing cricket in the country.

The six-game series will begin later on Tuesday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) cricket oval.

Speaking on Monday, Femi Solebo, local organising committee chairman of the series, said the federation plans to keep the national team in good shape for international encounters in view of the new strategy launched by the new board led by Uyi Akpata.

“The games against Sierra Leone have a historical and developmental relevance,” says Solebo, who is also a member of the NCF board.

“Aside from helping our players prepare for the forthcoming T-20I World Cup Qualifiers, it would also help us shape up the options we have for the national team, keeping in mind the huge investments at the grassroots and age grade levels.”

On his part, Ashanka Gurusinha, head coach of the Yellow-Greens, said the national team is ready for the series after making a few changes since the Tri-Series tournament in Uganda last month.

“Our team is a fairly young side growing and getting better with every game. So we expect a very competitive series,” Gurusinha said.

Nigeria will take on Sierra Leone back-to-back from Tuesday to Thursday and would observe its first break on Friday.

Three other matches are scheduled before the Yellow-Greens’ departure from Lagos on October 27 ahead of the International Cricket Council’s T-20I World Cup qualifiers billed for Rwanda in November.