Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-22 03:35:12
The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the fifth Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s T20 Invitational Tournament has made an exciting announcement that will surely raise the bar for the competition. Tanzania, ranked 19th in the world, will participate in the four-nation event for the first time. The event is scheduled to take place from February 23 to March 3 in Lagos.
This news comes as a major achievement for the tournament, as the Tanzanian team is ranked better than any of the other participating teams. The event has so far seen Nigeria and Rwanda dominate the winnings, but the inclusion of Tanzania adds a new dynamic to the competition. Chuma Anosike, the Chairman of MOC, emphasized the significance of Tanzania’s participation and the potential for increased viewership globally.
The event will be held at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos over the course of eight days. The Nigeria team, known as the Female Yellow-Greens, has been in camp since last week and is determined to put up a strong performance to defend their title as the defending champions. Head coach Leke Oyede has called for support from home fans and is confident that his team is better prepared this year due to the ample playing time, international exposure, and participation in the recently concluded South-South Female League.
Nigeria’s first match is set against its West African rival, Sierra Leone, and will be led by its long-standing captain and the most-capped women cricketer in the country, Blessing Etim. The tournament’s first ball will be on February 25, with Tanzania facing off against 2022 champions, Rwanda, while Nigeria will play against Sierra Leone.
This announcement has generated excitement and anticipation for the upcoming event. The inclusion of Tanzania adds a new level of competition and raises the profile of the tournament. As preparation intensifies, the hope is that the participation of Tanzania will attract a wider audience and elevate the tournament to new heights.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has welcomed Tanzania’s participation and expressed optimism about the impact it will have on the event. The MOC is working tirelessly to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly and successfully. With this new development, the fifth Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s T20 Invitational Tournament is poised to be an exhilarating and competitive event that will showcase the best of women’s cricket in the region.
