Captain of the senior males’s cricket nationwide workforce, Yellow Greens, believes the just-concluded T20 Continent Cup in Kigali, Rwanda has helped the workforce enhance in numerous features of the sport forward of the ultimate section of the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers, which can be performed subsequent yr.
Nigeria completed second on the four-nation event after a six-wicket defeat to Uganda within the closing of what can be their final outing in 2024.Regardless of the end result, Okpe believes the event has proven the workforce totally different areas of enchancment forward of subsequent tournaments in 2025.
“The event in Rwanda has actually helped us as a workforce. The blokes have been in a position to see lots of impacts of their sport, being extra assured and extra expressive, which is one thing we’ve been wanting ahead to for a very long time,” Okpe stated.He added: “So, when it comes to pondering extra and making use of their video games, it has been very spectacular.”
Nigeria began the competitors brightly with two wins in opposition to hosts Rwanda and Botswana, however misplaced 5 consecutive video games earlier than bouncing again for a spot within the closing.
“Usually, our performances with the bat and the ball in addition to fielding have been spectacular. Though we misplaced quite a few video games, it helped us as a workforce to evaluate the place we had points and be capable of come again stronger. The blokes have been extra fearless with their batting and the bowling has been extra tactical.
“So, I really feel the subsequent line of motion is for us to play extra aggressive cricket in opposition to high quality groups which is able to assist our sport enhance and be capable of play effectively in subsequent tournaments.”Nigeria’s greatest take a look at in 2025 can be to qualify for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The Yellow Greens got here tops within the Sub-Regional Qualifier C and can go up in opposition to seven different international locations (Uganda, Kenya, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Namibia and Zimbabwe) for a spot on the World Cup.
