Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens started their 2027 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 1 on a high note. They beat Uganda U-19 Women by four wickets in a close match in Tanzania, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Uganda won the toss and chose to bat first. Nigeria's strong bowling kept the Ugandan batters under constant pressure, limiting them to 59 runs for seven wickets in their 20 overs.
Shadiah Gilingish Nabulime was Uganda's top scorer with 22 runs off 34 balls. Jimia Abdallah Mohamed added 13 runs from 25 balls.
Nigeria's bowlers performed well as a team. Chisom Okpe led the attack, taking two wickets for just four runs in four overs. Peace Usen also took two wickets, giving away 12 runs.
Needing 60 runs to win, Nigeria looked in control at first. But Uganda’s Tino Sarah changed the game with her bowling. She took five wickets for 13 runs in four overs, including two maiden overs, causing Nigeria to lose wickets frequently.
Despite the pressure, the Junior Female Yellow Greens kept their cool and finished the chase. Omosigho Eguakun set the pace with a solid 24 runs off 29 balls. Captain Christabel Chukwuonye also contributed with 13 runs from 10 balls, including three boundaries.
Nigeria aims to build on this win as they continue their Africa Qualifier journey. They are looking to return to the World Cup after their impressive performance in Malaysia last year.
Their next match is against Malawi today, as they aim to secure a place in the semi-finals.
They will face Tanzania, the hosts, in their final group game on Wednesday, September 2.
A top-two finish in the group will send them to the semi-finals. There, they will meet one of the teams from Group B, which includes Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
The tournament winner will join South Africa to represent Africa at the main event in 2027.
South Africa has already qualified for one of Africa’s spots after finishing among the top four teams at the last World Cup, which India won.
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