Ahead Pepsi-ICC T20 Cricket Women Tourney: Lagos Stars Top List Of Invited Players

Players from Lagos top the list of players invited by the Nigeria Cricket Federation, NCF, ahead of the Pepsi ICC-Africa T20 Women Championship holding in Kampala, Uganda from 16-20 December.

According to the Chief Operation Officer, COO, of the NCF, George Wiltshire, the federation has invited 22 female cricketers for the national trials in Lagos taking place at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, between 17 and 18 November ahead of the Kampala tournament.

Out of the 22 players, nine were chosen from Lagos State cricket team, four from Imo,  two from Edo, four from Ogubn and two from Oyo.

Wiltshire said that the players invited featured at the last two editions of the National Women’s Championship.

The Nigerian team will be competing with teams from Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Sierra Leone in a round- robin format with the last day for playoffs between 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th positions after conclusion of the round-robin, to determine their rankings.

The players from Lagos are Azuka  Onwujiobi, Ruth Ayannaike, who attended the Elite Academy in South Africa last month, Hannah  Ayoka, Modupe  Ashafa, Ekaete Etim, Rashidat Tijani, Victoria Eyo, Morunmola Job and Justina Onyedum.  Players from Imo are Oluchi Obiefule, Chibuzor Izuogu, Juliet Emeana and Helen Ndum.

Edo State has Samantha Agazuma and Adegboyega Asisat while players from Ogun State are Peju Adetoro, Seun Awonusi, Rukaya Owolabi, Faith Romanus and Sandra Ofili.

Eriebi Jimmy-Yeri and Grace Reginald are players selected  from River State to conclude the list.

Meanwhile, the NCF has condoled the  Kaduna State Cricket Association over the death of Christopher Gowon, a key player of the state cricket team.

Wiltshire said: “It is with rude shock that we received the sad news of the passing away of Christopher Gowon. The President, board, management and staff of Nigeria Cricket Federation commiserate with the board and management of  Kaduna State Cricket Association and the entire cricket community in Kaduna State on the demise of Christopher Gowon.

“He  was  an outstanding bowler and a key player of Kaduna State Cricket Team for many years. Kindly convey our condolences to the family.

“We pray that God grant the entire Gowon family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”