Oyede tips women’s Yellow Greens to excel at NCF T20i invitational tourney

Nigeria’s women cricket national team coach, Leke Oyede, has assured that his girls are filled with confidence going into their first match at the third Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament, which flags off today in Lagos.

“Nigeria’s team is highly motivated and I am confident in the talent of the entire team. I also believe the past events offered us some lessons that we have adopted in our preparation for this edition,” he said.

The opening match of the 10-day championship pits Nigeria against West African rival, Sierra Leone, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The event is supported by Access Bank, Lagos State government, Alaro City, EKO Electricity Distribution Company, Lagos Intercontinental Hotel Pets Foundation, Aries Suites, Pillar Oil and Geregu Energy.

Later in the afternoon, defending champion, Rwanda, which is also the highest-ranked team in the tournament, will face Ghana to round off the opening day activities.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chuma Anosike, said the event has become one of Nigeria’s biggest anchors for cricket development.

“The NCF Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament allows us to showcase some of the work that is being done in different regions of the country to develop the game. Today, despite not being popular as a cricketing nation, a section of the 2.5 billion cricket audience is hooked on Nigeria to watch this very event,” he said.

Anosike added that plans were in place for live streaming of the event to meet the standard required by the global cricket audience.

Nigeria will face the tournament’s debutants, Cameroun, tomorrow, with the game between Sierra Leone and Ghana coming up immediately after.

NCF President, Uyi Akpata said, “cricket has become another platform for expression by Nigerian women and we must commend these young ones, who have chosen to fight for Nigeria’s honour in such a time like this when patriotism is wanting. That is the power of sport and we are very grateful to all supporting us to galvanize the country.”

The NCF Women’s T20i Invitational tournament will run from today to April 2, 2023 at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.