Nigeria Defeats Botswana to Claim International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier Trophy
Captain Sylvester Okpe and his cricket teammates celebrated enthusiastically as Nigeria’s Yellow Greens secured a commanding victory over Botswana in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Sub-regional ‘C’ play-offs at Abuja Stadium.
Nigeria made history on Thursday by winning all their matches in the qualifying campaign, with Botswana, who had also been unbeaten in their previous four games, succumbing to a 77-run defeat in the final match. The thrilling contest saw Nigeria set a target of 181 runs in 20 overs, while Botswana was bowled out for just 104 runs in 18.2 overs.
Kareem Ridwan of Nigeria was named Player of the Match for his performance, and Isaac Danladi was honored as the Best Batter after scoring 80 runs off 45 balls.
The Nigerian team’s consistent performance throughout the tournament, especially in the final match, highlighted their confidence and strategic planning. The victory was especially significant as it was achieved in front of a home crowd in Abuja, adding to the excitement and pride of the players and their supporters.
The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Uyi Akpata, expressed his immense satisfaction with the team’s success and the successful hosting of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Africa’s sub-region. He praised the efforts of all stakeholders involved in the event, from the curators and ground crew to the media and volunteers, for ensuring the competition was a resounding success. The event not only showcased Nigeria’s cricketing talent but also highlighted the country’s ability to host major international sports events, particularly with the impressive twin Oval facilities in Abuja.
Throughout the tournament, Nigeria and five other African countries competed for a spot in the final leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. The event, which took place from November 23 to 28, 2024, saw Nigeria and Botswana finishing with unbeaten records. Along with Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, the top two finishers from the Abuja playoffs will move forward to the final qualifiers, marking a historic achievement for Nigerian cricket.