The Nigerian women’s cricket team, Female Yellow Greens emerged triumphant against Uganda’s Victoria Pearls, securing the bronze medal in the 13th African Games on Wednesday in Accra, Ghana.
Match Summary
Uganda – 76/8 (20.0 /20 ov)
Nigeria – 78/7 (19.2 /20 ov
Nigeria won by three wickets
After winning the toss, Nigeria opted to bowl first, restricting Uganda to a modest total of 76 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
Uganda’s openers Gloria Obukor and Immaculate Nakisiyu didn’t last long together on the crease as the former only managed 6 runs while the latter posted a team high 21 runs. The pair were both bowled by Peculiar Agboya.
After the dismissal of Uganda’s openers, the Victoria Pearls’ batting visibly collapsed with batters number three to seven failings to manage double figures.
It was batters number eight and nine, Kevin Awino and Phiona Kulume who stabilized the pressure for Uganda with both posting 10 runs. However, it was too late to make amends with the last two batters Sarah Walaza and Lona Anyait only carding 5 runs from 1 over and 1 ball.
The Nigerian innings commenced with an early stumble, losing three wickets within the first three overs.
However, a resilient partnership between Salome Sunday and Abigail Igbobie steadied the ship, guiding the team to 58 runs for 5 wickets in 16.2 overs.
Despite facing tense moments, Lucky Piety’s composure, coupled with her crucial partnership with Salome, propelled Nigeria to a thrilling victory.
In a heart-stopping climax, Nigeria required 7 runs from 6 deliveries to seal a historic win with 3 wickets to spare.
Piety dispersed the 1st 2 balls for back-to-back boundaries, sending the Nigeria dug-out into euphoria and the Uganda bench to utter shock and disbelief. The West African nation won the match by three wickets (78/7).
Salome’s stellar performance earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award, encapsulating her pivotal role in Nigeria’s bronze medal triumph.
