Nigeria’s Junior Female YellowGreens have defeated hosts Tanzania by 57 runs to complete a perfect Group A campaign at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Tanzania.
The victory saw Nigeria finish top of Group A with a maximum of six points, after winning all three of their matches at the ongoing tournament.
This is contained in a statement by Zeal Ibe, media manager, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), issued on Wednesday in Lagos.
Ibe said Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat at the NTS, TCA Cricket Arena, posting 133 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs.
He said Nigeria’s disciplined bowling restricted Tanzania to 76 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Ibe said the victory was significant, as it came against the hosts, who were supported by a passionate home crowd.
According to him, Omosigho Eguakun led Nigeria’s batting with an impressive 50 runs from 46 balls, including seven boundaries.
He noted that Eguakun’s half-century provided the foundation for Nigeria’s total, while Peace Usen added 32 runs from 35 balls, including four boundaries.
He said Deborah Bassey also contributed 14 runs from eight deliveries to give Nigeria a late surge.
Ibe said Eguakun was later named ‘Player of the Match’ for her outstanding performance.
He said Nigeria’s bowling unit also produced another disciplined performance to restrict the hosts.
“Chisom Okpe was particularly influential, claiming two wickets for 14 runs in four overs, while Jennifer Godwin returned outstanding figures of two wickets for nine runs from two overs.
“Shola Adekunle also impressed with one wicket for nine runs in four overs, including a maiden, while Glory Idiahi picked up one wicket for four runs,” he stated.
The federation media manager said Tanzania struggled to build sustained momentum during their innings.
He said captain Saumu Hussein top-scored with 29 runs from 40 balls, while Rahma Yahaya contributed 21 runs.
Ibe said Nigeria’s disciplined attack, however, ensured that Tanzania ended their innings on 76 runs for eight wickets.
He said Nigeria opened its campaign with a narrow four-wicket victory over Uganda before producing a dominant performance against Malawi.
According to him, the team then completed its Group A campaign with a 57-run victory over hosts Tanzania.
“The progression is significant. Against Uganda, Nigeria showed resilience. Against Malawi, they showed dominance; against Tanzania, they showed control.
“Three different challenges have produced three victories, evidence of a team developing the maturity and composure required at the international level,” he stated.
Ibe said the Junior Female YellowGreens would face Rwanda, the second-placed team from Group B, in the semi-final on Thursday.
He said the semi-final would carry greater stakes as Nigeria planned to secure a place in the final.
According to him, the team would have to remain focused and not dwell on the three victories that brought them to the stage.
“For Nigeria, the semi-final represents another opportunity for this emerging generation of female cricketers to demonstrate the quality, confidence and competitive character that have defined their campaign so far.
“The task now is to turn a perfect group-stage record into a place in the final. Three wins have taken Nigeria to the semi-final. One more win will take the Junior Female YellowGreens to the final,” he stated.