Pearl of Africa T20 Series: Nigeria’s Bowling Brilliance Stuns Namibia-A

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

In a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat encounter at the Pearl of Africa T20 Series, Nigeria’s senior men’s cricket team clinched their first win of the tournament with a hard-fought 6-run victory over Namibia A, defending a seemingly modest total of 105 runs. It was a game that tested character, demanded discipline, and ultimately showcased the heart and hustle of a team on a mission.

Scrappy but Steady: Nigeria’s Innings in the Trenches

Batting first, the YellowGreens had to dig deep against a disciplined Namibian attack. Openers Sulaimon Runsewe (12 off 12) and Selim Salau (6 off 18) cautiously navigated the early overs, but quick wickets meant the team had to rebuild under pressure.

A burst of hope came from Solomon Chilemanya and then a composed, standout performance from Olayinka Olaleye, who crafted a resilient 34 off 36 balls, anchoring the innings and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Despite his promising innings being cut short by a run-out, Olaleye’s contribution proved vital.

Down the order, Prosper Useni brought calm to the chaos with an unbeaten 20 off 26 balls, ensuring Nigeria crossed the 100-run mark. Together with Abdulrahman Jimoh (2 off 2), he added crucial runs at the death.

While 105/9 may not have turned heads at first glance, in T20 cricket, it’s not about how much—you score, but how you defend it. And Nigeria defended it like warriors.

Bowling Brilliance Turns the Tide

Namibia’s reply began steadily with Jan Balt (35 off 40) and Dian Neethling (29 off 33) threatening to snatch the game away. But Nigeria’s bowlers had other plans.

What followed was a bowling masterclass, tight lines, clever variations, and relentless pressure that broke Namibia’s backbone.

Nigeria’s Bowling Heroes:

Captain Sylvester Okpe (4-0-14-2) led by example, putting a chokehold on Namibia’s middle overs with discipline and variation.

Isaac Danladi (4-0-13-2) was clinical, building pressure and picking up key wickets with the composure of a veteran.

Peter Aho (4-0-26-2) delivered timely breakthroughs, dismissing set batters and halting Namibia’s chase.

Abdulmumin Mohammed and Abdulrahman Jimoh played supporting roles, but it was Jimoh who would ultimately steal the show.

Solomon Chilemanya: The Silent Architect Behind the Stumps

Behind the stumps, Chilemanya was electric. Involved in three dismissals—two stumpings and a run-out—his awareness and quick hands proved game-changing. It was a complete team performance, with fielders backing the bowlers every step of the way.

The Final Over: The Birth of a Hero

With Namibia needing 10 runs from the final over and two wickets in hand, the pressure was immense. The weight of 200 million Nigerians rested on young shoulders.

Enter Abdulrahman Jimoh.

Freshly capped, relatively unknown on the international stage, Jimoh delivered six balls of precision, power, and poise. Like a seasoned campaigner, he bowled with surgical accuracy. Dot after dot, he squeezed the life out of Namibia’s chase. And when he trapped the final batter LBW on the last ball, sealing the win, the roar of triumph was deafening. “Jimoh Abdulrahmon, take a bow.”

In that over, he didn’t just win a match, he announced his arrival to the world. A new star had been born under Ugandan skies.

Final Score:

Nigeria – 105/9 (20 overs)

Namibia A – 99/8 (20 overs)

Nigeria won by 6 runs

What This Win Means

This wasn’t just a victory it was a statement.

A statement of belief. Of growth. Of Nigeria’s readiness to fight tooth and nail at every turn. The YellowGreens may have had a quiet start to the tournament, but this win sets the tone and injects momentum into their campaign.

From Olaleye’s batting anchor to Jimoh’s last-over heroics, this was a team win in every sense.