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Eyes
On Africa : A Special Feature by Hemant Sharma
from Lusaka, Zambia |
Nigeria
 The
game of Cricket is a by-product of the Colonial
era in this multi cultural west African nation
of Nigeria, like most other places. Cricket
found its base in the people of Nigeria through
the introduction of the game in Schools.
Nigeria Cricket
Association (NCA)
was formed in the 1930s. And currently it is
under the Federal
Ministry of Youth & Sports.
There are separate state Cricket associations in
Nigeria affiliated to the NCA which is also the
West-African Cricket Conference Founding Member.
The full and final amalgamation of all the
cricket bodies of Nigeria into the present day
NCA happened in 1957.
It was June27, 2002 that Nigeria became the 27th
Associate Member of ICC.
ICC Status :
Associate Member
Elected to ICC: 2002
No. of players : 1900
Number of clubs : Unknown
World Cup : Never appeared
ICC Trophy Best : Never appeared
Address of governing body : Nigeria
Cricket Association,
Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Race course,
P.O. Box 9309, Lagos
ICC WC qualifying trophy latest
7th August,2004. Botswana edge
Nigeria in a high scoring run-fiesta.
Botswana 270
Nigeria 247 all out
Centrals Cricket Club seemed to be the sole
witness of the highest run scoring game of the
week. With virtually no crowd attendance due to
the anticipation and interest in the other
on-going games this High scoring game faded into
oblivion. A win in this game for either of the
teams couldn't have ensured them any
qualification, but it was still played with full
passion. A total of 517 runs and a victory
margin of just 23, this game provided all the
nail biting entertainment that it is
conceivable. Botswana in the end had the better
of things and wud rue the fact that they will
not be able to go to the Malaysia Playoffs due
to the narrow loss to host Zambia. Both Botswana
and Zambia are on 10 points but since Zambia
beat them on the 1st day in a close game,
Botswana have to return home. Nigeria too
wouldn't have made it had they beaten Botswana
as they too had lost to Zambia.
6th August,2004.Perpetual Tanzanian
defeats break Nigerian losing streak.
Nigeria 160 all out
Tanzania 63 all out
LSCC today witnessed the battle of the
minnows. Both Nigeria and Tanzania went out to
play today in hope of breaking their respective
losing streaks, but it was Nigeria who
eventually got the better of Tanzania by 97
runs. Playing first Nigeria themselves were in a
spot of worry as they managed a total of only
160 in their 50 overs. Tanzania who had only
crossed the 100 run mark once in this tournament
incidentally made 161 against Botswana in their
previous game must have believed that they could
repeat the scores and win this time. But their
disappointments continued as one batsman after
the other followed back to the pavilion thus
scoring another sub-100 total of 63 only.
Tanzania plays Zambia tomorrow and have nothing
but pride at stake while Zambia has already
qualified for Malaysian playoffs. Nigeria plays
Botswana tomorrow, both of them are on equal
points.
4th August,2004. Nigerian woes
continue against Uganda.
Uganda 240/8
Nigeria 118 all out
Centrals Cricket Club witnessed its first
game of the tournament in which Uganda didn't
find much trouble in beating the disappointing
Nigerian team. Batting first, Uganda mustered up
240 for 8 in their 50 overs. The agile fielding
of Nigeria is the only thing that impresses if
other departments disappoint. While chasing the
target of 241, the West Africans did manage to
cross the 100 run mark for the first time in
this competition but their run chase eventually
ended on 118. With nothing going their way, the
only thing it seems bright for Nigeria is that
they have a game to play against Tanzania
tomorrow who are not in a winning mood
themselves.
3rd August,2004. Zambia stumble, but
overpower Nigeria in the end.
Nigeria 97 all out
Zambia 100/8(25 ovr)
The second game for the host nation taught
everyone in the team to not to take anything for
granted. Cricket is known as a glorious game of
uncertainties and this was evident in the
picturesque Lotus club ground today when Zambia
stumbled while chasing the small total of 96 put
on by Nigeria. With nothing to lose, the
Nigerian balling attack showed a spirited
performance and the Zambian batting displayed
some carelessness. At the 12th over, Zambia was
reeling on 46 for 6 and the spring in the step
of the Nigerians was exciting to watch. But in
such small totals one or two common sense
innings are all that is needed to take you
through. Under immense pressure, the late middle
order of Zambia ensured that the hosts make the
desired runs with 25 overs to spare and 2
wickets in hand. The Nigerians showed character
and went home with their heads high as they
didn't gift the points to Zambia. A perfect
example for learners that in Cricket, like in
life, Nothing can be taken for granted.
2nd August,2004. Namibian eagles
pounce Nigerians.
Nigeria 30 all out
Namibia 30/0
Before the sun could warm up Lusaka enough on
the National Farmers day, a sight of plight was
seen at the LSCC club when the tournament
favorites Namibia were given a chance to prey
upon the Nigerian cricket team. By getting
bundled out even without getting the team total
above 30, It was Game, set and match Namibia
within the first few hours of the day. Those who
were lazy in getting up in the morning can now
only hear what others have to say about the
brilliant Namibian bowling and the paltry
batting display of the Nigerian team. After
grabbing a thumping victory, the Namibians chose
to visit the Metro club and spent their day
watching the entertaining Zambia-Botswana game
and getting a good idea of the abilities and
weaknesses of these teams helpful for the next
upcoming matches. Oh did I forget to mention...
that Namibia did score the necessary 30 odd runs
to complete the win.
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