Team Nigeria departs for Kampala today

NIGERIAN women cricket team, comprising 14 players, two coaches and chaperon, will depart Lagos for Kampala today for the five-day ICC-Africa Twenty20 Championship holding in the Ugandan capital from December 16 to 20. This competition is Nigeria's debut participation in international women cricket and officials of the team are optimistic of a good outing by the girls. While in Kampala, Nigeria will be battling Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Sierra-Leone for bragging rights in African cricket.The Nigerian team has been in a five-day closed camp at the University of Ibadan, preparing for the tournamentunder the supervision of coach Joseph Eshua, and Okon Ukpong, who is the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Technical Committee chairman.Expected to signal Nigeria's arrival in international women cricket are skipper Azeezat Adegboyega,AzukaOnwujiobi (vice captain), Hannah Ayoka, ModupeAshafa, Blessing Etim,Ruth Ayannaike,Victoria Eyo, Mosunmola JobandAdetutu Oludare. Others areRashidat Tijani, Adepeju Adetoro, Oluwaseun Awonusi, Rukayat Owolabi and Samantha Agazuma.A member of the NCF board, Abimbola Olusola-Sowoolu, will serve as the team's chaperon as well as leader of delegation, while coach Eshua and Ukpong will take care of their technical needs. Speaking on the team's chances of success in Kampala, NCF Chief Operating Officer, George Wiltshire, said he was optimistic of good performance despite the pedigree of the opposing nations.According to Wiltshire, 'this is Nigeria's first outing in the women game, and the enthusiasm displayed by the girls during the camping period shows a team with a mission.'The team is dedicated to ensuring that Nigeria's flag is raised high in Kampala, and with some luck on their side, the girls will give a good account of themselves.
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