NIGERIA MAKES IT 4 WINS FROM 4 MATCHES AS TANZANIA IS BRUSHED ASIDE IN THE ONGOING ICC WORLD CUP AFRICA QUALIFIER IN NAMIBIA

 

On the calm Thursday morning of 21st March 2019, Nigeria returned back to the Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek, where history was made with that infamous victory against the host country Namibia. The match against Tanzania will be the second meeting between both countries in less than a year during the semi-final clash in Division 2 where Nigeria emerged victorious.

 

Tanzania won the toss and elected to field first thereby sending in Nigeria to bat for the 4th consecutive time in this tournament. Elijah Olaleye and Runsewe Suleimon opened the bating with a comfortable display of 97 runs partnership in 30.1 overs before Suleimon fell for 43 runs off 89 balls. Danladi Isaac scored 31 runs of 40 balls as well.

 

Elijah Olaleye, yet again produced a sublime display of bating prowess to hit 110 runs off 153 balls unbeaten in 50 overs.

Nigeria recorded their highest batting total in the tournament thus far with 211 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 50 overs.

 

In the second innings, the bowling attack of the junior yellow Greens was too strong for the Tanzania team to contain with wickets falling at intervals. Captain Sylvester Okpe topped the onslaught with 4 wickets for 19 runs in 8.2 overs with an economy of 2.28 with Peter Aho coming to the party with 3 wickets, 3 maidens and conceded 7 runs with an economy of 0.87, while left hand seamer, Mohammed Taiwo got with 2 wickets.

Nigeria eventually restricted Tanzania to 60 runs all out in 27.2 overs

 

Olaleye Elijah was named man on the match with his 110 runs not out off 157 balls.

Nigeria won by 151 runs.

 

Nigeria will play their final match against Sierra Leone on Saturday 23rd March 2019 with a victory in that game ensuring the ticket for the ICC U-19 World Cup 2020 in South Africa.

 

MUSA EHIZOJE BODIE
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (NCF)