Nigeria got the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier off to a thrilling start, as they outlasted hosts Namibia on the opening day.
The West African’s who showed very good promise in the Division 2 tournament last year in South Africa, relied on tenacious fielding to stun the hosts.
Batting first, Nigeria scored a below par 129 for eight, with Samuel Mba scoring a patient 25 from 90 balls, and Miracle Ikiage chipping in with 22. Mauritius Ngupita took three for 16 for the host’s.
In reply, Namibia crashed to 77 all out, with man of the match Sylvester Okpe grabbing three for 16 in seven overs, sealing a well deserved 52-run triumph.
Elsewhere on day one, Frank Akankwasa (62) and Ashiraf Senkubuge (56) struck half-centuries for Uganda, as they cruised to a 70-run win over Kenya.
The 16 year-old Akankwasa then added three wickets in nine overs to his day’s work, as Kenya were bowled out for 136.
In the third match of the opening day, a workmanlike play from Sierra Leone saw them defeat Tanzania by 27 runs.
George Ngegba and Edmond Ernest both scored 22 useful runs, as they battled to 126 all out.
In response, Tanzania were all out for 99, thanks in chief to Chernoh Bah’s terrific spell of four for 22.
Edmond Ernest also contributed with the ball, taking three for 18.
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Scores in brief:
Nigeria 129 for eight (S Mba 25, M Ikiage 22 not out)
Namibia 77 all out (S Okpe three for 16)
Nigeria won by 52 runs
Uganda 206 all out (F Akankwasa 62, A Senkubuge 56)
Kenya 136 all out (S Singh 31, F Akankwasa three for 12)
Uganda won by 70 runs
Sierra Leone 126 all out (G Ngegba 22, E Ernest 22)
Tanzania 99 all out (C Bah four for 22)
Sierra Leone won by 27 runs
POINTS TABLE
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | NRR |
| Uganda | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3,500 |
| Nigeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2,550 |
| Sierra Leone | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1,350 |
| Tanzania | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1,350 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2,550 |
| Kenya | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3,500 |
FIXTURES
Monday 18 March
Wanderers – Uganda vs Sierra Leone
WAP – Tanzania vs Namibia
Trustco United – Nigeria vs Kenya
Tuesday 19 March
Reserve Day
Wednesday 20 March
Wanderers – Tanzania vs Kenya
WAP – Uganda vs Nigeria
Trustco United – Namibia vs Sierra Leone
Thursday 21 March
Wanderers – Nigeria vs Tanzania
WAP – Kenya vs Sierra Leone
Trustco United – Namibia vs Uganda
Friday 22 March
Rest or reserve day
Saturday 23 March
Wanderers – Kenya vs Namibia
WAP – Sierra Leone vs Nigeria
Trustco United – Uganda vs Tanzania
