SPORTS Story

FREETOWN: NEW PEOPLE CORRESPONDENT, JUNIOR: The Sierra Leone national Cricket team is all set for the second edition of the North- West African Cricket Championship (NWACC) billed for Nigeria in April 2008.

Following several trials at the Kingtom Ovals, the national team coach, Cyril Panda has selected 13-players who will represent the country in the competition. According to Coach Panda, his boys are prepared for the tournament and he believes that his team may be considered favourites to bring the trophy home to Sierra Leone.

Coach Panda further revealed that after the NWACC tournament, the team will leave Nigeria for South Africa were they will compete in another competition.

The 10-day tournament will bat off on Tuesday, April 1 and run until Friday, April 11 in three cricket ovals in the country. The tournament features host nation Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, and Sierra Leone.

The three venues for the tournament are Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Onikan, Lagos, the University of Lagos Cricket pitch, and the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

The last edition of the WACC was hosted in Gambia in 2007,where Nigeria powered to the title to emerge champion. But the number of participating countries has since increased notably with the inclusion of the North African country, Morocco. Thus, the WACC has changed to the NWACC.

Below are the names and positions of selected players:

Jacob Mansaray – All rounder

Ibrahim Sesay – All rounder

Mustapha Kallon - All rounder

Lansana Lamin - All rounder

Abu Bakar Kamara All rounder

Mohamed Boys Kamara - All rounder

Gabriel Anthony - Bowler

Emmanuel Kamara - Batsman

George Kpundeh - Batsman

Luseni Senesie –Batsman

Mohamed Mansaray Batsman

Julius Brewah - Batsman

Mohamed Dumbuya - Bowler

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