Runsewe Yellow Greens leadership shift gives Nigeria a positive boost ahead of their West Africa Trophy title defence in Abuja.

Wicketkeeper Sulaimon Runsewe will lead Nigeria’s men’s senior cricket team, the Yellow Greens, when their title defence at the West Africa Trophy begins on Thursday, head coach and high-performance manager Steve Tikolo confirmed in Abuja.

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Tikolo announced a 14-man squad and revealed that captain Sylvester Okpe agreed for Runsewe to assume leadership during the competition.

The coach said the adjustment offers tactical flexibility as Nigeria seeks to retain the trophy in a tournament expected to feature high-intensity regional competition.

Runsewe will be supported by a blend of experience and emerging talent, including Selim Salau, Ali Rahmon, Daniel Ajekun and Danladi Isaac.

The squad also includes the Okpe brothers, Sylvester and Isaac, whose international exposure strengthens both batting and bowling units.

The group is completed by Vincent Adewoye, Kenneth Boniface, Prosper Useni, Ukasha Ishaku, Elochukwu Ndubudem, Joshua Asia and Abdullahi Ismail, forming a balanced squad designed to provide depth across all departments.

Tikolo described the selection as a powerful step toward consolidating Nigeria’s long-term cricket development.

Guinness World Record-holding fast bowler Peter Aho is absent due to commitments with Dubai Capitals for ILT20 Season 4 in Qatar.

Nigeria enters the 2025 edition as defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament unbeaten, securing an 18-run victory over Rwanda in the 2023 final in Lagos.

Sierra Leone and Ghana also featured in the first edition.