As the 13th African Games in Ghana approach, Steve Tikolo, head coach of Nigeria’s male cricket team and high-performance manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, exudes confidence in both the male and female teams’ abilities to make significant impacts on the cricketing stage, Sports247 reports.
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Cricket makes its debut at the Games in Ghana, with a formidable lineup of teams set to compete at the Achimota Cricket Grounds. Among the participating nations are seven International Cricket Council (ICC) Associate member countries, including Nigeria, hosts Ghana, and other strong contenders like South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Steve Tikolo emphasized the strength of the groups in which Nigeria’s male and female teams find themselves. Despite being the least-ranked in their respective groups, Tikolo believes both teams are well-prepared and capable of causing upsets.
“Our group is strong,” Tikolo affirmed, referring to the male team’s placement alongside formidable opponents such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Tanzania. He expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and readiness to compete at their best come March 7th.
The Female Yellow Greens, on the other hand, find themselves in Group A alongside powerhouses South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania. Despite the tough competition, Steve Tikolo remains optimistic about their chances, especially given their recent performance at the NCF Women’s T20i invitational tournament, where they secured a second-place finish.
The Female Yellow Greens arrived in Accra on Tuesday, eager to kick off their campaign against Tanzania. With a rigorous training regimen leading up to the Games, including their last session at the TBS Oval in Lagos, the team is poised to showcase their skills and determination on the international stage.
Their upcoming matches against formidable opponents like Namibia and South Africa pose significant challenges, but Tikolo is confident in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances.
As Nigeria’s cricket teams gear up for their African Games debut, the support and encouragement from Coach Steve Tikolo underscore the nation’s determination to excel in the sport on the continental stage. With their eyes set on victory, both the male and female teams are ready to make their mark and bring pride to their country.
