Captain of Nigeria’s cricket crew, Sylvester Okpe, has reaffirmed the Yellow Greens’ ambition to safe one of many two obtainable tickets for the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup qualifiers, which start this week in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria will face a difficult area, together with hosts Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Botswana. With solely two spots up for grabs, competitors is anticipated to be fierce. Nonetheless, Okpe insists that the crew is totally ready to rise to the event.
“Our goal is obvious — we wish to qualify for the World Cup. We all know it gained’t be straightforward, however we’ve skilled arduous and are decided to make the nation proud,” the skipper mentioned.
The T20 World Cup, scheduled to happen in India and Sri Lanka between February and March 2026, already has 15 groups confirmed, together with cricket giants South Africa, Australia, and England. For Nigeria, reserving a ticket to the event would mark one other historic milestone of their fast-growing cricket journey.
Okpe highlighted the progress made in camp, mentioning that the squad is extra balanced in comparison with previous years. “Now we have improved in each division — batting, bowling, and fielding. The gamers are hungry, and the crew spirit may be very excessive,” he famous.
The captain additionally referred to as for assist from followers and the cricket group, stressing that morale is boosted when gamers know the nation is behind them. “It’s about making historical past once more.
We’ve finished it earlier than, and we consider we will do it once more,” Okpe mentioned, referencing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2019 U-19 Cricket World Cup.
Nigeria’s first match within the qualifiers can be an important take a look at of their credentials. For Okpe, the message is straightforward: “We’re right here to battle for the ticket, and we gained’t cease till we obtain it.”
