By Ijeoma Okigbo

Slyvester Okpe, captain of Nigeria’s Senior Cricket team, said the team is optimistic of securing a qualification spot but will want to play the best of cricket.

Okpe stated this at a news conference ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier in Abuja on Friday.

He noted that the team has had adequate preparations ahead the tournament.

“ We have worked hard and prepared well enough for this tournament.

“Our participation at the African Games in Ghana in March and the tour in Kenya have put us in good shape and form.

“We are positive and optimistic of a qualification spot but above all, we just want to play the best of cricket,’’ Okpe said.

Okpe urged fans to come support the team and they look to secure one of the two available slot to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier next year.

“We are the highest ranked by ICC in the tournament as 36th but we are not to underrate any side.

“We will play to our utmost skill and ability and hope that fans will come support us,” Okpe said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eswatini, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Saint Helena, Sierra Leone and Nigeria will slug it out at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from Saturday to Thursday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh