KEY POINTS
- Nigeria’s YellowGreens defeated Uganda by one run to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
- Nigeria scored 148 runs before restricting Uganda to 147 for nine in 20 overs.
- Isaac Danladi led Nigeria’s batting with 47 runs, while Isaac Okpe took two wickets.
- Nigeria and Uganda qualified for the 2027 Africa regional final.
- Nigeria’s victory was its first over Uganda in 14 meetings, according to the information provided.
MAIN STORY
Nigeria’s senior men’s cricket team, the YellowGreens, defeated Uganda by one run on Sunday to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
Playing at the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Oval 1, Nigeria scored 148 runs in 19.4 overs before limiting Uganda to 147 runs for nine wickets in its allotted 20 overs.
Isaac Danladi led Nigeria’s batting with 47 runs from 28 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes. Ali Rahmon added 35 runs from 23 balls, while Selim Salau contributed 30 runs from 24 balls as the hosts recovered from losing early wickets to build a competitive total.
Uganda’s Joseph Baguma took four Nigerian wickets for 21 runs in four overs, helping to restrict the hosts’ scoring.
Uganda responded with a determined chase, led by Riazat Ali Shah, who scored 60 runs from 36 balls, including three fours and five sixes. Olipa Gerald added 18 runs from 22 balls, while Alpesh Ramjani contributed 20 runs from 18 balls.
Nigeria’s bowlers kept the visitors under pressure as the match approached its conclusion. Isaac Okpe took two wickets for 18 runs in four overs, while Sylvester Okpe also claimed two wickets. Abdullahi Ismail added two wickets for 30 runs, and captain Chima Akachukwu took one wicket.
Despite Shah’s innings, Uganda finished one run short of Nigeria’s total, handing the hosts the tournament title.
The victory marked Nigeria’s first win over Uganda in 14 meetings, according to the information provided.
Nigeria reached the title-winning match after earlier victories over The Gambia, Zambia, Mozambique and Lesotho in the six-team competition.
Both Nigeria and Uganda secured places in the 2027 Africa regional final after finishing as the tournament’s top two teams. The competition also featured Lesotho, The Gambia, Mozambique and Zambia.
THE ISSUES
The narrow victory highlights the importance of maintaining composure in close cricket matches. Nigeria’s batters built a defendable total after losing early wickets, while the bowlers managed to prevent Uganda from completing its chase despite Shah’s strong performance.
The qualification also keeps Nigeria’s campaign towards the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on track. The regional final in 2027 will provide another opportunity for the YellowGreens to progress through the qualification process.
WHAT’S NEXT
Nigeria and Uganda will prepare for the 2027 Africa regional final. Nigeria will aim to build on its tournament victory as it pursues further progress in the T20 World Cup qualification pathway.
BOTTOM LINE
Nigeria claimed the qualifier title with a one-run victory over Uganda, combining Danladi’s key contribution with a disciplined bowling effort. Both teams now advance to the 2027 Africa regional final.
