TheCable

Daniel Gim, the coach of Nigeria U-19 men’s cricket team, has announced Abdulkareem Ridwan as the team captain.

This comes as the team concludes preparation for the eight-nation Africa division 2 World Cup qualifiers that will be held in Abuja from September 30 to October 9.

According Gim, Ridwan was named the team’s captain because of his leadership qualities.

“Ridwan and his teammates mates are a major part of the cricket evolution and he has particularly shown leadership qualities,” Gim said.

“We are hosts and that comes with some expectations. But with the skills and management in place, I am sure the team will put up respectable performance for the country when the qualifiers start.”

Gim expressed confidence that his team would justify the investment of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) in them.

Also speaking, Joseph Eshua, technical director of the NCF, said the board has put necessary measures in place to ensure the team succeeds.

“I am at the moment with the team in Benin to give technical support. However, as the host we also have a task to project the country through our new international facilities,” Eshua said.

“Nigeria has in the last two years successfully upgraded six of its pitches to international turf wicket standard. While the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier is taking place in Abuja, we have two other cities that can equally host an international event conveniently and this speaks to the commitment and leadership of the NCF President Uyi Akpata.”

Kenya, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana, Mozambique, Botswana and Nigeria are grouped in the encounter which is expected to produce one finalist that will move to the next stage of the qualifiers in division 1.