Nigeria too strong as they beat Ghana by 9 wickets to qualify for tournament final

 

NCF WOMEN’S T20I TOURNAMENT (DAY 4: MATCH REPORT)

 

• Nigeria and Rwanda set up an exciting grand finale as both countries dominate the tournament.

 

• Rwanda topple Nigeria on the points table after their 10 wickets victory against the Gambia.
• 15 years Ude Lillian gets tournament 1st hat-trick as she is named player of the match against Ghana.

                                 NCF WOMEN’S T20I POINTS TABLE

TEAM	MATCHES	WIN	LOSE	TIED	N/RESULT	POINTS	NRR
RWANDA	3	3	0	0	0	6	4.226
NIGERIA	3	3	0	0	0	6	3.926
SIERRA LEONE	3	1	2	0	0	2	0.088
GHANA	4	1	3	0	0	2	-1.495
THE GAMBIA	3	0	3	0	0	0	-6.549

 

 

Match 1: (Nigeria vs Ghana 9:30am)

On the backdrop of Nigeria being eliminated from the FIFA World Cup on home soil by Ghana, bragging rights had escalated prior to this game and the Nigeria side was eager to make sure lightning didn’t strike twice on the same spot.

Ghana won the toss and elected to bat first, sending team Nigeria to field. Blessing Etim and Ude Lillian opened proceedings with the ball and had the Ghanaians pinned to their crease to ensure they scored just 14 runs in the first 5 overs for no loss of wicket. Favour Esiegbe was the change bowler and immediately got the breakthrough wicket of Rashidat Salia who managed just 4 runs off 21 balls.

Ude Lillian was the star performer with the balls for Nigeria by taking the 1^st tournament Hat-trick with an overall statistics of 3 wickets, 4 overs, 1 maiden, conceding 8 runs. She was supported by Favour Esiegbe with 3 wickets, conceding 14 runs in 4 overs.

Elizabeth Annor and Felicia Serwaa scored 11 and 10 runs respectively as the only double figure for Ghana.

 

In the second innings, Nigeria picked up from where they left off in the 1^st innings, scoring the runs from ball 1. Lucky Piety was lost early in the power play and was replaced by Omonye Asika. The partnership was sufficient to chase down the required total to win the match.

Kehinde Abdulquadri scored 34 runs off 36 balls and Omoye Asika with 12 runs off 19 balls not out respectively to see Nigeria over the line, ensuring their place in the finals of the tournament.

Beatrice Oduro got the only wicket for Ghana, conceding 10 runs in 2 overs.

Ude Lillian was named player of the match

*Nigeria won by 9 wickets.*

 

*Match 2: (The Gambia vs Rwanda 1:50pm)*

The Gambia won the toss and elected to bat first. What signalled like a very short innings turned out to be quite impressive as a much improved performance saw the team holding out till the 16^th overs before losing all their wickets for 42 runs.

Cathrine Mendy scored the only double figure for The Gambia with 11 runs off 20 balls.

Ingabire Sifa got 3 wickets, conceding 9 runs in 4 overs, with Vumilia Magueritte and Irakoze Flora both taking 2 wickets to complete the team bowling statistics for Rwanda.

The second innings was completed by the opening batting pair of Ishimwe Herientte and Sarah Uwera with the former scoring 23 runs off 15 balls, and the latter with 13 runs off 9 balls.

Ingabire Sifa was named player of the Match.

*Rwanda won by 10 wickets*

 

*TOURNAMENT FIXTURES*

*Day 6: April 2^nd*

*(Morning Fixtures: 9:30am)*
Sierra Leone vs The Gambia

*(Afternoon Fixtures: 1:50pm)*
Nigeria vs Rwanda

*Day 7: April 3^rd*

(Morning Fixtures: 9:30am)
3^rd Place

(Afternoon Fixtures: 1:50pm)
Final

*4^th April (DEPARTURE)*

Ends………………

 

*MUSA EHIZOJE BODIE*
*PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER*