Follow Us on Google
By Akanimo Kufre
The first Nigerian captain to secure an ICC World Cup ticket in 2019 last Saturday, Sylvester Okpe, has offered some winning tips to the Nigerian U19 Cricket team as the World Cup qualifiers began yesterday.
Nigeria alongside Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya, and Namibia Tanzania will fight for one remaining African ticket to be in the International Cricket Council World Cup in 2024.
Okpe, who led the team that “Shocked the World”, according to the BBC Cricket, said the boys have the talent and their past three weeks have been very good.
“It is just for them to believe in their abilities, believe in what there have done and trust the process. Trust the advice the coaches have been offering, trust themselves and play to the best of their abilities. That way, there will be able to achieve something good at the tournament.
“In 2019, our dressing room mentality was positive at all times, we know we were not going to meet weak opponents, so we just had to be positive with our games. We think of what to do if the game goes our way and what to do if it doesn’t go our way. So, being able to think positively in the dressing room and be able to set ourselves up was something that really helped us.”
According to the official schedule, Nigeria’s first opponent on today will be West African neighbour, Sierra Leone by 9:30 am local time. Sylvester gave a general fielding hint for all adversary teams.
“My advice to this 2023 U19 team in the field situation is to enjoy every moment in the game no matter the situation. Just try and enjoy every moment of your game! So, while doing that, you will be able to keep the field lively. Once the batsmen see the field being lively they get tensed no matter what the outcome of the game is. Remember, the opponents do not like the field being lively. That is why most batters like to go hard and make mistakes. Keep your field lively no matter what and take the chances as soon as they come.”
Nigeria according to the 14th July 2023 ICC T20i World Cricket ranking is 41st. They will be competing against the teenagers from Namibia 13th, Uganda 24th, Kenya 29th, Tanzania 30th, and Sierra Leone 58th.
“Taking on higher-ranked teams, our U19 has to trust the process, there will be times things won’t go your way but you have to manage your situation and go through whatever you are working on positively. Take the coach’s advice and you will come out tops.
Sylvester warned, “The team’s best behavior before the umpires are all about time management by the captain. Time management in the field is very essential for our team to be in the good books of the umpires. No matter what criteria you have or experience with the Laws of Cricket, if you can keep to time as you process your game you will not have faults with the umpires. Be careful also not to insult even your opponents and stay within the code of conduct of cricket games. That way, you will be on your way to success.
At the end of the tournament, the eventual winner will join other African teams with automatic tickets for the ICC U19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2024. South Africa and Zimbabwe are among 11 countries qualified with automatic tickets. The other five tickets are secured through qualification pathways across continents.
