By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s Junior Female YellowGreens have completed a perfect Group A campaign at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, defeating hosts Tanzania by 57 runs to finish top of the group with maximum points.
After winning the toss and electing to bat at the NTS, TCA Cricket Arena, Nigeria posted 133 for seven in 20 overs before restricting Tanzania to 76 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Omosigho Eguakun starred with a commanding 50 off 46 balls, including seven boundaries, to earn the Player of the Match award.
Peace Usen added 32 off 35 balls, while Deborah Bassey provided a late flourish with 14 off eight deliveries.
Nigeria’s bowlers then produced another disciplined display, with Chisom Okpe and Jennifer Godwin claiming two wickets each.
Okpe finished with two for 14 from four overs, while Godwin returned excellent figures of two for nine from two overs.
Shola Adekunle also impressed with one for nine from four overs, including a maiden, while Glory Idiahi took one wicket for four runs.
Tanzania struggled to build momentum, with captain Saumu Hussein top-scoring with 29 off 40 balls and Rahma Yahaya contributing 21.
The victory caps an impressive group-stage campaign for Nigeria, who began with a narrow four-wicket win over Uganda before recording a dominant victory against Malawi.
The Junior Female YellowGreens will now face Rwanda, who finished second in Group B, in tomorrow’s semi-final.
Having overcome resilience against Uganda, dominance against Malawi and control against Tanzania, Nigeria will now look to turn their perfect group-stage record into a place in the final.
