THE 2011/2012 season would officially flag off on Saturday at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, cricket oval with a game featuring a Nigerian Cricket Federation's (NCF) President selected side select against the BRF Cricket Club (BRFCC).BRFCC is the defending champion of the Iris Smart Technologies Club Cricket Committee (CCC) League, but this season promises a tougher challenge to its stranglehold on Nigerian cricket with such teams as Government College Ibadan Old Boys Club, returning former champion, Foundation Cricket Club (FCC), and Federal Government College Warri Old Boys ready to wrestle the crown from its grip.The game against the President's X1, made up of players from the other top teams in the Lagos league will test BRFCC's preparedness to defend its title. But even with the calibre of players massed against it, BRFCC says it will over run the challengers to show that it is even better than last season.The commemorative 40-over match will begin at 11 a.m.BRFCC, which just returned from a pre-season training tour of Ghana, has in its squad such national team players as Nigerian captain, Endurance Ofem, Joshua Ogunlola, Sean Phillips, Ademola Onikoyi and Femi Solebo.Listed against these stars are players, who are either currently in the national team, or were part of the side in the recent past.The President's X1 is led by Roland Ilube (Team Manager) and in the squad Botswana 2011 stars, Femi Oduyebo, Emmanuel Okwudili, and Ricky Sharma, among others.Although there is no prize at stake in the opening game, NCF Media Committee member, Jacob Ajom, told The Guardian yesterday that the game has more at stake for the players than just victory for either sides.He said, 'some of the stars in the opposing teams believe they are ripe for the national team and they want to show top officials of Nigerian cricket, who are expected as spectators at the match, that they deserve international consideration.'I have been told that there are some exciting players in the President's X1, who are not yet in the national team, and this is their opportunity to make their case for selection to the NCF technical committee.'NCF President, Kwesi Sagoe, who is also the Chairman, Africa Cricket Association (ACA), will declare the season open before the BRFCC versus President's X1 game.
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