The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has released the names of 25 Players who will go into a 1 Week intensive preparation Camp to be led by newly appointed head coach, Asanka Gurusinha, to further fortify preparation for the Africa Cricket Qualifiers  ( ACQ) coming up next year in Kenya.
This camping period follows the Intra-Squad Triangular Series that was played over the course of last week which involved 36 of the best players from around the country.
This was disclosed yesterday by the Head Coach, Rivers State Cricket Association, Tonye Timinadi.
According to him, the players are expected to be put through their paces by Asanka and his assistants and the coach will hopefully get a closer look at the players who he has seen play only a handful of times.
Nigeria U-19s trio of Rasheed Abolarin, Jimoh Adulrahaman and Taiwo Mohammed shone like a million stars with the new ball. Left-arm seamer Taiwo particularly troubled batsmen and ended the series with an economy of 3.75. Amazing figures for a T20 series especially for someone who bowled exclusively during the powerplay overs.
The dynamic Vincent Adewoye led the run-scorers charts followed closely and unsurprisingly by Sesan Adedeji and Skipper Josh Ayannaike.
Daniel Gim, usually considered a more suitable fit for the longer format displayed good intelligence to get amongst the runs at a not too shabby strike rate.
“Missing from the list is Seye Olympio whose time in the National Team seems to be well and truly over and Mustapha Yussuff who was unable to make it to camp due to other commitments. Segun Olayinka who last played for Nigeria about half a decade ago has been brought back into the fold,”
“Despite not making the final cut, the 11 players who have been left out must surely have enjoyed mixing it with the best in the country and will definitely be better for the experience,” coach Timinadi said.
Meanwhile, the Final list of 25  players, includes: Joshua Ayannaike, Runsewe Sulaimon, Daniel Ajekun, Gashon Yusuf, Sesan Adedeji, lsaac Okpe, Sylvester Okpe, Chimezie Onwuzulike, Vincent Adewoye, Chima Akachukwu, Jimoh Abdulrahman,  Daniel Gim, Peter Aho, Abolarin Abdulrashed,   Ifeanyi Uboh, Taiwo Mohammed, Leke Oyede,  Danladi Isaac, Joel Joseph, Elijah Olaleye Nzube Nwokike, Boniface Emmanuel,  Akhere Isesele, Olayinka Segun  and Odion Isesele.
It would be recalled that 36 players were invited to National camp last Month for screening and selection to prepare  for the task ahead.

By: Nancy Briggs