The 2001/2002 cricket season in Nigeria should flag off as soon as the Nigeria Cricket Association (NCA) holds the ceremonial opening of the season match. This may hold on the 18th November 2001 as a result of late rains in the country.

As soon as this happens club league matches particularly in Lagos are expected to commence.

The Lagos Club Cricket Committee (CCC) is in the final stages of ratifying fixtures for the season; its work having been delayed by word of possible participation of teams to be sponsored by telecomm giants MTN and Econet Wireless who both got licences to operate the Global Satellite Mobile (GSM) system in Nigeria recently. If indeed this happens, Lagos cricket will witness a rise in the number of clubs to eleven as compared to nine last season. We will watch how events unfold in this regard and keep you updated.

FOUNDATION CRICKET CLUB
A preview of the league does not see any major obstacle stand in the way of three-years-in-a -row champions Foundation Cricket Club I(FCCI) retaining the championship. Not only have the champions retained the bulk of their squad, they have been strengthened by successive victories and the wealth of campaign experience in players like Kofi Sagoe, Gbenga Akinyombo, Dipo Idowu, Captain Sam Aikhiobare, Ed Akerele, Alfa Mohammed, Barnaby Ephraim. They will be supported by the energy and youthful zeal of Wale Adeoye, Thomas Ezeh and Sunkanmi Odedele.

The team will miss the strong batting of Dotun Olatunji who relocated abroad during the off-season and middle-order batsman George Wiltshire who retired at the end of last season and who was recently appointed Chairman of Lagos State Cricket Association(LSCA) under whose auspices the Lagos League operates.

Sister-team FCCII will as usual provide stern opposition to other clubs with its blend of aged internationals and 'graduates' of the original Rocks team.

Parading batsman of the year, Kwesi Sagoe, Kome Agodo, James Okwara, Soleye Hughes, Tunde Akinleye, Oris Oruye, Akin Denton; the team will be infused with the industry of Femi Oduyebo, Tunde Adeoye, Anofiu Salako, Sunday Adeleye and Joshua Ogunlola.

GCIOBA
League runners-up GCIOBA will come into the fray this year a little depleted. Internationals Dapo Adegoke and Charles Okodua who would have represented West Africa at the ICC Trophy but for the visa imbroglio have resettled and will not be available this season.

However you can count on West African Captain Okon Ukpong and veteran Seye Fadahunsi to spread out the dragnet in recruiting youngsters to take their places. They still will exhibit the all-rounder skills of Tayo Okusanya, Taiwo Odeneye and spin of Tayo Atoloye to prise open opposing teams.

Their ability to restrict runs scored by their opponents has always been their greatest strength; though they will need to work on their own ability to score runs on days that strategy fails to deliver.

COSMO
Cosmo, it is reported has been hit by the relocation of their skipper Efe Okome and Ike Okonkwo who are participating in an exchange program abroad with a sister PriceWaterhouseCoopers firm.

Okey Ahuchogu who would have been a part of the WACC team to Canada for the ICC Trophy will also not be available for Cosmo this season.

There is also word that all-rounder Femi Olayiwole may cross over to his alma mater King's College Old Boys (KCOB) this season. How far this is true will be seen when the first round of matches are played.

However club stalwart Obo Omoigui, Ovie Osuaso, Edebiri are expected to be surrounded by new team-mates in a rebuilding process that the club will have to undertake this season if it wants to continue to participate in the Lagos League.

KCOBA
King's College Old Boys do not appear poised to mount a serious challenge this season just like the last. Chuma Anosike and Edo Ukpong will strive to mobilise their youngsters to compete on an even keel with the other clubs.

HOWZAT PIONEERS/DOLPHINS
These two clubs from the Howzat stable will have another campaign to pick up valuable experience.

Their attempts to join the elite clubs in the 'Super Four' in the last two seasons floundered mainly from the absence of a proper attitudinal framework.

Should they correct this during the ensuing campaign they may finally come of their own.

As usual they will be co-ordinated by Olisa Egwatu and will attempt to draw from the potential of Endurance Ofem who will strive to improve his performance in the senior league.

ROCKS
Rocks will play to clinch some fringe matches as usual.

The experience they garner in the Lagos League will put their players in very good stead when the National Sports Festival comes up in Benin, Edo State in March/April 2002.

FGC Warri Old Boys
FGC Warri Old Boys made their debut in the Lagos League last year and earned one sweet victory.

This year they will aim to consolidate their performance and win perhaps a few more matches having learnt from last year's experience.

Unfortunately with the dominance of Foundation, the Lagos League is becoming as one-sided as the English Premiership has been in the last decade with Manchester United holding sway. However there is little to suggest that they will not retain the championship for the fourth time in four years. Expect some form of opposition from GCI Old Boys, however it may not be far reaching enough.

Perhaps this season may witness the return of the National Club Championships where champions from the zones meet to decide the National Champion if the NCA finds a sponsor for the series. The competition was last played in 1995 sponsored by Image Technologies and guess who the winner was......Foundation Cricket Club of course.

© ICC