Nigeria Crush Zambia, Eye Sierra Leone Clash

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s Yellow Greens kicked off their West Africa Trophy campaign with a commanding 19-run victory over Zambia in Abuja.

Prosper Useni of No Limit Cricket Club, Benin City, led Nigeria’s performance, earning the game’s Most Valuable Player award for his all-round display.

Zambia won the toss and chose to field, but Nigeria responded with a disciplined batting effort to post 138/8 in 20 overs.

The Okpe brothers anchored the innings with a 58-run partnership, as Isaac Okpe top-scored with 35 and Sylvester added 23.

Middle-order contributions from Isaac Danladi (27) and Salau Selim (17), complemented by late runs from Vincent Adewoye (9), Useni (6) and Daniel Ajekun (5), set a defendable total.

In the chase, Nigeria’s bowlers dominated. Useni and Adewoye claimed four wickets each, while Isaac Okpe picked up two more. Useni’s impressive economy rate of 3.50 highlighted his control, as Zambia were bowled out for 119.

Elsewhere, Rwanda secured a seven-wicket win over Sierra Leone, bowling out their opponents for just 47 before completing the chase in 10.3 overs.

Rwanda now lead the standings with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of 2.221, while Nigeria sit second on equal points with an NRR of 0.950.

The Yellow Greens will return to action on Friday at 2:00 p.m. against Sierra Leone at the NCF Pitch, aiming to build on their winning start and strengthen their title push.