The Nigeria U19 Men’s team, the Junior YellowGreens, produced a breathtaking all-round performance at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2, recording a commanding 407-run victory over Mozambique U19 at the IPRC Oval in Kigali.
Batting first after winning the toss, Nigeria posted a formidable 461/6 in 50 overs, before dismissing Mozambique for just 54 in 23 overs to complete one of the most emphatic victories of the tournament.
The victory was built around an extraordinary batting performance in which four Nigerian batters contributed 385 runs, accounting for more than 83 per cent of the team’s total.
Captain Ali Rahmon, Hossana Omonkhobhio, Peculiar Egemasi and Bright Edem Nyong provided the foundation, acceleration and explosive finish that carried Nigeria to what was described as the tournament’s highest total.
Nigeria captain Ali Rahmon set the tone at the top of the order with a composed 41 off 46 balls, striking eight boundaries.
Rahmon’s contribution came at a crucial stage of the innings, helping Nigeria establish a solid platform before the middle order took the game away from Mozambique. He was the first wicket to fall, dismissed at 89/1 in the 14.2nd over.
His innings provided the stability required for Nigeria’s aggressive middle order to attack with greater freedom.
Opening the innings, Hossana Omonkhobhio produced a composed and authoritative 84 off 73 balls, hitting 11 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 115.07.
Omonkhobhio anchored Nigeria’s innings through the middle overs and helped take the score beyond the 200-run mark before his dismissal at 210/3 in the 28th over.
His innings provided the platform for the extraordinary acceleration that followed.
With Nigeria firmly established, Peculiar Egemasi shifted the momentum into overdrive.
Egemasi produced a magnificent 123 off 84 balls, striking 18 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 146.43.
His century was a commanding display of controlled aggression, repeatedly finding the boundary and keeping Mozambique’s bowlers under relentless pressure. He eventually fell at 446/5 in the 47.4th over, having taken Nigeria to within touching distance of 450.
Egemasi’s contribution did not end with the bat. He later returned to the bowling attack and claimed 3/1 from one over, completing a remarkable individual performance.
The final assault belonged to Bright Edem Nyong, who produced one of the most explosive innings of the competition.
Nyong remained unbeaten on 137 from just 53 balls, smashing 11 fours and 12 sixes at an extraordinary strike rate of 258.49.
His innings transformed Nigeria’s already imposing total into a mammoth one. Nyong’s assault in the closing overs ensured Nigeria finished on 461/6, the team’s highest total of the tournament.
The combined scores of Rahmon (41), Omonkhobhio (84), Egemasi (123) and Nyong (137)* produced an astonishing 385 runs.
With 461 runs on the board, Nigeria’s bowlers completed the job with equal authority.
Mozambique struggled to establish any meaningful partnership and were eventually dismissed for 54 in 23 overs, handing Nigeria a massive 407-run victory.
Kenneth Boniface was the leading wicket-taker, finishing with 3/13 from three overs, while Princewill Chigozie delivered an economical spell of 2/8 from eight overs, including four maidens.
Egemasi added three wickets to his century, while Precious Ayeni and Emmanuel Oladejo also claimed wickets as Nigeria’s bowling unit maintained pressure throughout Mozambique’s innings.
The emphatic victory has strengthened the Junior YellowGreens’ position in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2.
The result moves Nigeria into second position on the tournament log, with one match remaining against Sierra Leone U19.
The final fixture will provide another opportunity for the Junior YellowGreens to finish the league campaign strongly and consolidate their position in the race for qualification.
Nigeria’s performance against Mozambique was a complete demonstration of the team’s growing confidence and depth.
From Rahmon’s leadership and Omonkhobhio’s measured start, through Egemasi’s commanding century and Nyong’s breathtaking 137 not out, the Junior YellowGreens displayed a blend of discipline, aggression and fearless stroke play.
The bowling unit then ensured that Mozambique had no opportunity to respond, reducing the opposition to 54 and sealing a 407-run victory.
The Junior YellowGreens now turn their attention to Sierra Leone U19 in their final fixture, carrying the momentum of a record-setting performance and a renewed push for qualification.