Team Nigeria is optimistic ahead of their first group B game on Thursday against Sierra Leone in the ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers, according to Onome Oghenekevwe, Nigeria’s coach.

Oghenekevwe, who said this on Wednesday after the team’s first training in Gaborone since arrival on Tuesday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the girls were in very high spirits and ready to do battle.

“From the way we played today, the girls are in high spirits and well motivated. They are here to make themselves and the country proud.

“So, it’s one game at a time, tomorrow we are going in with our spirits high and I hope we pick the first win and that will motivate us into the second game,’’ he said.

The coach also commented on the weather conditions in Gaborone, hoping that the team acclimatizes quickly with the 17 degree Celsius temperature.

“We are not used to the temperature here. In Nigeria, it is a little bit hot, but here it is cold, so it is going to be a little bit of a challenge.

“But, we did a few drills as regards running in between the wickets, so that we can get their lungs open and get used to the condition.

“So, it is going to affect us slightly, but we will adjust as we play along,’’ he added.

Nigeria, drawn in group B, begins her campaign against Sierra Leone on Thursday before meeting other group members, Namibia, Uganda, and Cameroon.

In Group A are: Botswana, the hosts, Eswatini (former Swaziland), Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Only one team is expected to qualify from the 11-nation tournament beginning from Thursday. 

(NAN)