Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team lost their first match in the ICC Africa qualifiers to Namibia by 10 runs, despite strong bowling efforts, particularly from Ukasha Isiyaku. In their response, Nigeria failed to maintain their momentum after a promising start. They will seek to rebound in their upcoming game against Tanzania, while Namibia progresses to face Sierra Leone.
The Junior Yellow Greens of Nigeria commenced their journey for a 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup berth with an unfortunate loss against Namibia, falling short by 10 runs during their first match held at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra. This competition forms part of the final phase of the ICC Africa qualifiers, in which Nigeria is hosting six teams vying for a single ticket.
Upon winning the toss, Namibia’s Captain Francois Du Plessis opted to bat first, prompting Gafar Kareem and his teammates to take the field. While Nigeria showcased commendable bowling skills, Namibia’s batting progressed at a slow pace, reaching only 50 runs in the first 16 overs. Ukasha Isiyaku excelled for Nigeria, claiming an impressive five wickets for merely five runs, supported by Azeez Warees who took three wickets. Despite these strong bowling performances, Namibia managed to post a total of 133 runs, all out in 47.5 overs, with Max Heingo contributing the highest score of 22 runs off 20 balls.
In response, Nigeria initiated their batting innings with Rahmon Ali as the primary performer. Coach Daniel Gim’s team initially reached 50 runs in just 9.4 overs. However, the momentum dwindled after Ali was dismissed by Du Plessis in the 14th over. Ali concluded his innings with 53 runs from 46 deliveries, featuring four fours and three sixes, but this effort fell short of securing a victory for Nigeria. Ultimately, the Junior Yellow Greens ended their innings at 123 runs for 10 wickets in 40.2 overs, resulting in Namibia achieving their first victory of the tournament.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will face Tanzania in their second match of the series on Sunday, while Namibia is set to play Sierra Leone on Saturday at the UNILAG cricket oval. In another notable match on the opening day, Kenya displayed a formidable performance by defeating Sierra Leone by 58 runs, marking a significant win for the Kenyan team.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team faced a challenging opener in the ICC Africa qualifiers, narrowly losing to Namibia by 10 runs. Despite a strong bowling performance, Nigeria could not capitalize on their early success in the batting department. Future matches will be crucial for their hopes in the tournament, as they strive for a coveted spot in the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup.
Original Source: punchng.com
