Abuja, Sep 6 (IANS): Nigeria's U-19 team coach Seyi Sonde has called for more investments in the game to produce quality cricketers in the West African country.

Sonde, in a chat with reporters Thursday, said the country needed investments to produce cricketers that would compete in international tournaments, reports Xinhua.

"Cricket in Nigeria has developed as best as it can and, so far, we have the numbers but we lack the quality of cricketers seen in other countries. I am not saying that there are no quality cricketers in the country, but it is obvious that they have not reached the level where they become household names in the game like others," he noted.

The coach called on Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) to assist in the development of the sport by providing a turf wicket across the country.

He added the game needed improvement in facilities, especially having international quailty pitches, unlike the synthetic ones in Nigeria.

"And I know that it will go a long way in improving the quality of cricketers the country will be producing," Sonde added.