Nigeria’s Junior YellowGreens responded to their opening defeat by Uganda with a dominant five-wicket victory over Ghana at Gahanga Oval, dismissing their opponents for 93 before reaching the target with 27.4 overs unused.
Nigeria restore World Cup qualification hopes
The result renewed Nigeria’s push for a place at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and represented their strongest display of the tournament to date. Their performance was built around accurate bowling, energetic fielding and a measured chase.
Opening loss to Uganda
Nigeria began their campaign on Sunday at Gahanga 2, where Uganda chose to field after winning the toss. The Junior YellowGreens struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets consistently, although Keneth Boniface held the innings together with 97 from 107 deliveries. His innings included nine fours and six sixes, but he fell three runs short of a century. Okasha Isiyaku added a watchful 34 from 81 balls as Nigeria were dismissed for 176 in 45 overs.
In the defence of that total, Pelumi Orimolade claimed 2/24, while Abdullahi Ismail, Princewill Chigozie and Isiyaku took one wicket apiece. Uganda completed the chase in 38.2 overs, reaching the target after losing five wickets. Samuel Ahaisibwe’s 72 proved decisive.
Bowling excellence against Ghana
Ghana opted to bat after winning Monday’s toss, but Nigeria’s attack kept control throughout the innings. Boniface led the way with 4/33 from eight overs, Precious Ayeni collected 2/9 from his eight, and Chigozie produced an exceptionally economical spell, giving up only nine runs in 10 overs.
- Isiyaku, Orimolade and Daniel Ayodele took the other Ghanaian wickets.
- Ghana were bowled out for 93 in 39.5 overs.
- David Ateak top-scored for Ghana with 26.
Nigeria’s pursuit of 94 became more uncertain when they fell to 56/4 and then 77/5 against sustained pressure from the Ghanaian bowlers. Boniface remained composed to finish unbeaten on 30 from 32 balls, while Andrew Abah scored 20 and Peculiar Egemasi contributed 17. Nigeria eventually closed on 96/5 in 22.2 overs.
Boniface earns award as captain demands improvement
Boniface was named Player of the Match after another influential all-round performance. He said he was concentrating on following the team’s approach, allowing himself to wait for the right moments, enjoy the contest and avoid unnecessary pressure.
Captain Ali Rahmon praised the bowlers for creating pressure through dot balls and restricting Ghana to 94, but acknowledged that Nigeria’s batting still requires work. He noted that losing so many wickets while chasing such a modest target showed the batting unit was not yet where it needed to be.
Boniface has now made 127 runs and taken four wickets in Nigeria’s two matches.
The Junior YellowGreens next meet tournament hosts Rwanda on Wednesday, 12 August. Their remaining fixtures are against Mozambique and Sierra Leone as they continue their qualification campaign for the World Cup.
