Sarah Bhakita, Head Coach of the Nigeria U19 Women’s Cricket team, has expressed the team’s ambition to finish among the top two teams at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking to the Press on Friday, Bhakita reflected on the team’s recent warm-up matches ahead of the tournament, where Nigeria suffered a defeat to Pakistan on Monday but bounced back with a victory over Scotland on Wednesday.
The World Cup is set to take place in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2, with 16 nations competing.
Bhakita emphasized the team’s preparation and positive momentum, particularly after the win against Scotland. “The matches have been a great morale booster for the team. We’re heading into the World Cup with confidence, aiming to secure as many wins as possible and reach the final,” she said.
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She expressed belief in the players’ capabilities, adding, “If they apply themselves well, I have no doubt they can achieve success.
Our focus now is to encourage them to trust in their abilities.”
Nigeria secured the sole African spot in the World Cup qualifiers held in September 2024. Since then, the team has undergone rigorous training at High Performance Centers in Edo and Lagos, before heading to India for a tour.
The team’s World Cup campaign will kick off on Saturday against Samoa at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.