TheCable

The Nigerian men’s cricket team is set for a Tri Series clashes with Uganda and Kenya scheduled to commence on Friday.

The team departed Lagos for Entebbe in Uganda on Thursday ahead of the event which is their first international outing since late 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Commenting on the encounter, Asanka Gurusinha, the team’s coach, expressed optimism that his players will deliver as expected.

“Uganda and Kenya are rated ahead of us and this being Nigeria’s first Tour in the last two years and the first for me as coach, I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I think everyone should expect surprises and more importantly, are going to be having fun.”

The much-awaited event is also billed to prepare the Nigerian side for the men’s T20 African qualifying series scheduled for Rwanda in November.

The Nigerian male cricket team comprises Joshua Ayannaike, Sylvester Okpe, Chimezie Onwuzulike, Isaac Okpe, Peter Aho, Vincent Adewoye and Daniel Ajekun.

Others are Jimoh Abdulrahman, Prosper Useni, Odion Isesele, Taiwo Mohammed, Sulaimon Runsewe, Mustapha Yusuf and Sesan Adedeji.

Ayannaike, the team’s captain, said the event will help put his side in good shape ahead of T20 World Cup qualifier

“We are hoping to do our best out there in Uganda against the host and Kenya as we need to see what we are doing right and more importantly continue to get in shape for the T20 World Cup Qualifier in November,” he said.

The Tri series will see the competitors play about six games in ten days.

Nigeria will play its first match against Kenya on Saturday.