Egwuatu relishes partnership with Mataboge

The South African is expected to arrive Lagos on Monday, and would commence work immediately by joining the Nigerian team which had since flagged off their preparations ahead of the ICC World Cup Series Regional Qualifier in Zambia.

"Mataboge is a young coach and he's very exciting,"enthused Egwuatu."As a coach I know there is joy in sharing knowledge.I raised it as a coach that I need help because at times I may sound as a cracked record to the boys,so they need infusion of new ideas."

The coming of the 31-year-old South African is the culmination of months of discussions between the Nigeria Cricket Association (NCA) and Hoosain Ayob,the ICC Regional Development Officer for Africa

Ayob had recommended Mataboge based on the latter's vast experience as a youth development technical manager.

Said Egwuatu:"He may be a better person or less better person, the issue is that he's coming with new ideas and we are very keen to give him all the support to make the emvironment hospitable for him.

"He's a coach in South Africa, he's involved in other African countries. He is black, we wanted a black person not a white face so that our coaches can see that there's a future in this game.

"Both in theory and practice,Moses is a good coach.Before he was chosen,twelve people were interviewed by Hoosain, so Hoosain wants us to do well.I wanted a neutral coach so that we can have independent assessment of the players,so I'm very excited."