WEST AFRICA CRICKET TROPHY
Nigeria’s national men’s cricket team, the Yellow-Greens have won their opening two matches against Rwanda and Sierra Leone, at the ongoing West Africa Trophy at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos.
At the opening match, Nigeria, edged Rwanda with 57 runs in the 20 overs four-nation event.
Daniel Ajekun (28) and Captain, Sylvester Okpe (20) led the charge for Nigeria in the encounter that had them posting 127 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. The Rwandans were all out for 73 in 18.1 overs.
In the second match of the event, Ghana opted to field after winning the toss against Sierra Leone and limited them to 95 for the loss of nine wickets, a score they upturned in 17.2 over.
Nigeria, again returned on the second day to pick their second victory against Sierra Leone. The Yellow-Greens left 155 runs for the Sierra Leonians to defend. The ‘Saros’ were all out in 18.5 over with 92 runs. Suleiman Runsewe, put 79 runs on the board, which earned him Player of the Match award. Ghana also won their second match after a Super-over with Rwanda.
Nigeria will face Ghana this morning with both teams having unblemished score at the event so far.
Ghana’s Captain, George Edward Ngegba, said his team is looking forward to the encounter, and they know it would not be easy, but are mentally prepared for it.
“When we play Nigeria, It is a big deal. We know how important it is, and we are very ready for the game.”
Rwanda and Sierra Leone will slug it out later on Friday afternoon.
Vice-President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Wale Obalola, said that the event is a test of the Federation’s capacity for event management and live broadcasting, which, so far has been very commendable, going by feedbacks.
“While the players compete for honours, we at NCF are very determined to leverage the opportunity presented here to grow our administrative capacity. It will also help our team develop requisite skills needed for the internationalisations we are positioning our cricket for,” he concluded.