By Gracious Akujobi President of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Emeka Onyeama has stated that its under-19 team would depart for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Thursday ahead of the African championship.
Onyeama told Prompt News, that the Nigerian team had been adequately prepared for the championship scheduled to begin on February 14.
He said the Federation witnessed slight hitches during the processing of passports for some of the players, saying that it took his presence for the passports to be ready at the Immigration headquarters in Abuja.
“This is a last minute rush to get these boys out; we are working with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Minister of Sports Tammy Danagogo, has promised to assist us financially
“We rounded up with the Immigration and the Tanzania Ambassador has been helpful with the visas but on Thursday, the boys will depart for Tanzania,’’ Onyeama said.
Onyeama underlined the importance of the boys playing in the final as that will qualify them for the World Cup in Hong Kong.
“This championship serves as qualifier for the World Cup; the first two countries automatically qualify for the U-19 World Cup,’’ he added.
Prompt News reports that 16 players and three technical crew members are part of the contingent that will depart for Tanzania on Thursday.
The opening ceremony of the championship takes place on February 13, while the Nigerian team confronts Kenya on February 14 in its first match of the competition.
