Cricket: Yellow Greens retain West Africa Trophy

FILE: Yellow Greens team.

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Nigeria successfully defended their West Africa Trophy title in emphatic fashion, emerging victorious in the final against Rwanda by 40 runs at the NCF Pitch in Abuja on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

In doing so, they replicated their triumph from the inaugural event in Lagos in 2023, when they also beat Rwanda to lift the crown.

The Nigerian side, led by former Kenya international Steve Tikolo, stamped their authority on proceedings, winning nine out of their 10 matches. Their only defeat came last week when Rwanda inflicted a 23-run loss on them in a group phase.

In the final, Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that paid dividends as their batters collectively contributed to posting a challenging total. Sylvester Okpe led from the front with 35 runs not out off 22 balls while skipper Sulaimon Runsewe delivered a brisk 34 from 26.

Selim Salau and Danladi Isaac gave Nigeria further solidity at the crease. Salau contributed 25 runs, and Isaac added 14, both striking at impressive rates, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking at critical moments, while Vincent Adewoye also had 21 runs.

Extras also played their part, accounting for 13 runs as the hosts settled for a competitive 153/5 in their 20 overs.

Rwanda’s chase began with some promise, with Didier Ndikubwimana top-scoring with 33 from 38 balls and Khan Hamza chipping in with 27 runs. However, they could never build a decisive partnership capable of turning the tide.

A combination of tight bowling and sharp fielding by Nigeria ensured that Rwanda never found its footing. Ndubudem David, Isaac Okpe and Joshua Asia chipped in with two crucial breakthroughs, preventing any large partnerships from forming and consistently breaking the flow of the Rwandan innings.

While the Rwandans fought hard to stay in contention, they were eventually bundled out in the final stages, falling 40 runs short of the target at 117/9

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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