Nigeria’s Junior YellowGreens have boosted their hopes of returning to Division One of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup pathway after recording a commanding seven-wicket victory over hosts Rwanda in their third league match of the ongoing Africa Qualifier Division 2 in Kigali.
Playing at the Gahanga Main Oval, the Nigerian side produced an impressive all-round performance, dismissing Rwanda for 79 runs in 23.1 overs before reaching 84 for three in just 15.2 overs.
The victory leaves Nigeria firmly in contention for promotion, with two matches remaining in the qualification campaign.
The Junior YellowGreens laid the foundation for the win with a disciplined bowling display that kept the hosts under constant pressure.
Emmanuel Oladejo was outstanding with the ball, claiming three wickets for nine runs in five overs, including two maidens. Abdullahi Ismail also took three wickets for 19 runs in seven overs, while Keneth Boniface completed the three-wicket haul with figures of 3/22 from six overs, including two maidens.
Rwanda struggled to build meaningful partnerships as Nigeria’s bowlers struck at regular intervals before bowling out the hosts for 79.
Nigeria captain Ali Rahmon praised the bowling performance but admitted the team could have been more economical.
“We did a very good job restricting them to 80 runs all out, but I feel we should have done a bit better because we bowled a lot of extras in the first 10 overs. Maybe 60 or 50 runs would have been good,” he said.
In response, Nigeria’s opening pair of Rahmon and Hossana Omonkhobhio provided a solid platform for the chase, putting on 46 runs before their partnership was broken in the ninth over.
Rahmon scored 24 from 38 balls, including three boundaries, while Omonkhobhio made 18 off 19 deliveries, with three fours and a six.
Their partnership gave Nigeria control of the chase and kept the required run rate comfortably within reach.
Peculiar Egemasi then maintained the momentum with an unbeaten 19 from 20 balls, while Boniface sealed the victory in style, remaining unbeaten on seven from five deliveries, including a six.
Boniface’s all-round contribution earned him the Player of the Match award after his three-wicket haul helped restrict Rwanda before he returned to the crease to complete the run chase.
Speaking after the match, Boniface emphasised the importance of communication and encouragement within the team, particularly when players come under pressure.
“If they are down, mostly the pressure will be up, so talk to them. Whether we miss or any bad thing, we have to talk to them and encourage them. That’s the main thing,” he said.
The victory reflects Nigeria’s growing confidence and team spirit as the Junior YellowGreens enter the decisive phase of their qualification campaign.
After three matches, Nigeria sit third on the table with four points and a net run rate of 1.531.
The Junior YellowGreens will now turn their attention to their remaining fixtures against Mozambique U19 and Sierra Leone U19, knowing that victories in the final two matches could prove crucial to their hopes of securing a return to Division One.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation said in a statement signed by its Media Officer, Zeal Ibe, that the team would maintain its focus as it pursues promotion and a place on the path towards the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
