October 15, 2021
Sierra Leone Cricket Association will on Sunday the 17th September 2021 depart for an international bilateral series against Nigeria in Lagos as part of their preparations ahead of the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Kigali Rwanda.
According to the Executive Chairman, Francis Trevor Samura the two Countries has agreed to play ICC T20 Bilateral series that will involve six matches international that will be ranking by ICC.
He affirmed that Sierra Leone have not play any international matches since 2018, with no Friendlies matches; that will affect the men Patriots ranking internationally.
He added that as an association they have decided to engage Nigeria Cricket team one of the top rank Nation in West Africa region.
He further that before they chose Nigeria Cricket team they made several contacts with other teams such ,Uganda, Kenya but the two pulled out due to other commitments and Nigeria Cricket team was the last resort.
Mr. Samura said the association has submitted their budget to the National Sports Authority for funding for the team Friendly encounter. He gave reason that because they have crunch World Cup qualifiers in Kigali Rwanda which will kick starts from the 31th October to 8th November 2021 such friendlies is necessary.
He added that the association is currently faced with financial crisis and they cannot just pull out from the Qualifiers because it will affect the team ranking. However, they are calling on Government to financially facilitate their trip to represent the country.
The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Uyi Akpata expressed excitement at the hosting of the bilateral series and what it means for the region.
“We are expected to be hosting Sierra Leone in this six matches T-20 series which is a renewal of the fierce rivalry between these two giant Cricketing nations in the region, but again for the competition it provides the importance in trying to improve the quality of Cricket in the region and foster diplomatic relationship among member nations” said Akpata.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone Bilateral series is an age long relationship that presents the fiercest Cricket rivalry in the entire North/ West Africa region.