Nigeria Unveils Final 14-man Squad for ICC Africa Qualifier

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has unveiled the final 14-man Junior YellowGreens squad to represent Nigeria at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2.
The competition is scheduled to hold in Rwanda from Aug. 9 to Aug. 15.
Head Coach of the junior YellowGreens, Daniel Gim, said he assessed the players based on their technical ability, discipline, attitude and capacity to perform under increasing levels of competition.
This was contained in a statement by Zeal Ibe, Media Manager of the federation, issued to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
According to Gim, the team, expected to be led by Rahmon Ali, emerged after an intensive multi-phase selection process that commenced in Abuja and ended in Lagos.
According to him, the selection process started with an initial training camp in Abuja, where players identified during the National U17 Championship were invited for assessment.
“The first phase gave the coaches an opportunity to evaluate the country’s emerging cricket talents.
“The first camp was mainly made up of players identified from the U17 Championship. They are talented young cricketers, but naturally a bit inexperienced.
“I would rate the intensity of that camp around seven, because it was about introducing them to the standards expected at this level,” he said.
Speaking further, the coach said the second phase which also held in Abuja, brought together the promising U17 players and more experienced members of the age-grade team.
According to him, the combination of youth and experience raised the level of competition within the camp.
“Once we combined the younger players with those who already had some experience, the intensity increased.
“There was healthy competition every day and I would rate that phase around eight, because both talent and experience pushed each other,” he said.
Gim described the final phase in Lagos as the most demanding, saying it was where the technical crew selected the final 14-man squad that would represent the country at the continental qualifier.
“Lagos was the decisive camp. This was where we selected the final squad, so naturally the intensity had to be much higher.
“We pushed the players to another level because we knew what was at stake,” the coach said.
Gim said the coaches were encouraged not only by the players’ technical ability, but also by their mentality throughout the selection process.
“The biggest improvement we have seen is their attitude. Their willingness to learn, compete and win, has been outstanding.
“The boys understand the opportunity in front of them. They know that success in Division 2 is the first step toward Division 1 and then qualification for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup,” he said.
He added that discipline remained a major part of the team’s preparation, with strong emphasis on professionalism, punctuality and standards expected of national team players.
“The first thing we established was discipline. As national players, they must carry themselves professionally on and off the field.
“We created an environment where the camp remained enjoyable, but at the same time demanded high intensity and accountability,” he added.
The coach also praised the players’ eagerness to embrace new challenges, noting that assigning tactical and technical responsibilities became easier, because they clearly understood the objective ahead.
“These boys are hungry. They understand where they want to be and they have responded positively to every task we have given them.
“They have caught on quickly and while the work is not easy, they have shown the commitment needed to keep improving,” he said.
Gim said the technical crew had now shifted attention to building a balanced and competitive side, capable of competing beyond the qualification tournament.
“Our aim is to build a robust team with a strong batting line-up that can compete beyond this qualification.
“The objective is not just to qualify from Division 2. Our ambition is to progress through Division 1 and earn a place at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the foundation had been laid for a team capable of achieving that ambition, as preparations entered the final stage.
“Our message to the players remains simple yet powerful; hard work and smart work.
The selected players are Ismail Abdullahi, Andrew Abah, Rahmon Ali (captain) Precious Ayeni, Daniel Ayodele, Kenneth Boniface, Princewill Chigozie and Bright Edem.
Peculiar Egemasi, Okasha Isiyaku, Emmanuel Oladejo, Hossana Omokhobhio, Pelumi Orimolade and Folajimi Owolabi, completed the list.
Nigeria would compete against Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Mozambique and Sierra Leone in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2.
The tournament offers teams the opportunity to gain promotion to Division 1 and move a step closer to qualification for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.