Nigeria’s Junior YellowGreens have revived their hopes of qualifying for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup after recording a commanding five-wicket victory over Ghana at the Gahanga Oval in Rwanda.
The Nigerian side bounced back strongly from their narrow opening-day defeat to Uganda, bowling Ghana out for 93 before completing the chase at 96 for five in just 22.2 overs.
The victory was built on disciplined bowling, sharp fielding and a composed, if somewhat shaky, batting display as Nigeria responded positively to their first-match setback.
Ghana, having won the toss and elected to bat, struggled to establish momentum against a relentless Nigerian attack.
Keneth Boniface was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 33 runs in eight overs, while Precious Ayeni returned impressive figures of two for nine from eight overs.
Princewill Chigozie also delivered an outstanding spell of controlled bowling, conceding just nine runs in 10 overs and taking one wicket.
Okasha Isiyaku, Pelumi Orimolade and Daniel Ayodele claimed the other Ghanaian wickets as the West Africans were dismissed for 93 in 39.5 overs. David Ateak top-scored for Ghana with 26 runs.
Nigeria’s chase initially appeared straightforward but Ghana’s bowlers made the Junior YellowGreens work for victory.
Nigeria slipped to 56 for four and later 77 for five before eventually reaching the target.
Boniface once again proved decisive, remaining unbeaten on 30 from 32 balls, including four fours and a six.
Andrew Abah contributed 20 from 42 balls, while Peculiar Egemasi added a brisk 17 from 17 deliveries to help Nigeria cross the line and secure the five-wicket victory.
Reflecting on the match, Nigeria captain Ali Rahmon praised the bowlers but admitted the team’s batting still requires improvement.
“We were actually looking to bat and bowl first, get some early wickets and mount pressure, but we didn’t really get the early wicket. We got more dot balls though, and mounted pressure, and we were able to bowl them out.”
Rahmon added that the batting unit must improve after losing five wickets while chasing a modest target.
“I feel as a batting unit, we are not there yet because we lost too many wickets chasing 94 runs.”
Boniface was named Player of the Match after combining his four-wicket haul with an unbeaten 30.
The all-rounder said he remained focused on executing the team’s plan rather than putting himself under pressure.
“I’m just trying to go on with the team plan. The team plan is just to play around and get what I need, so I have to just wait there, enjoy the game, less pressure.”
Boniface has emerged as Nigeria’s leading performer after the opening two matches, contributing 127 runs and four wickets to the campaign.
His performances have been complemented by important contributions from Ayeni, Chigozie, Isiyaku, Orimolade, Abah and Egemasi.
The Junior YellowGreens began their campaign against Uganda on Sunday, posting 176 all out after being sent in to bat.
Boniface was again the star performer with the bat, scoring an impressive 97 off 107 balls, including nine fours and six sixes. Okasha Isiyaku added 34 from 81 deliveries.
Nigeria’s bowlers then fought hard to defend the total, with Pelumi Orimolade taking two wickets for 24 runs. Abdullahi Ismail, Chigozie and Isiyaku claimed one wicket each.
Uganda, however, chased down the target, reaching 178 for five in 38.2 overs, with Samuel Ahaisibwe top-scoring with 72.
The response against Ghana has now restored confidence in the Nigerian camp as the team prepares for its next challenge.
Nigeria will face tournament hosts Rwanda on Wednesday, August 12, before taking on Mozambique and then Sierra Leone in their remaining matches.
With qualification ambitions still firmly in sight, the Junior YellowGreens will hope their emphatic response against Ghana marks the beginning of a strong finish to their campaign.
