The Nigeria Baseball5 youth team bounced back from a disheartening opening defeat against Ghana to claim a decisive 2-0 victory over Benin Republic on Saturday.
The match, which kicked off at exactly 15:07 WAT, saw Nigeria come out strong, securing two runs within the first two minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
The team displayed remarkable tactical improvement, driven by the cheers and support from younger players of the Lagos State Baseball team, which helped bolster their confidence.
“After the defeat against Ghana, we knew we had to come back stronger. The support from the Lagos State team really lifted our spirits and made this victory possible,” said the Nigeria team captain, reflecting on their performance.
The first set concluded at 15:07 WAT with Nigeria dominating the field, ending with 13 runs to Benin’s single run.
After a brief break, the second set began at 15:45 WAT and continued the trend of Nigerian dominance. Benin showed some resilience but could not match Nigeria’s firepower, as the match ended 13-3, handing Nigeria their first win in the championship.
The day’s excitement continued with a heated encounter between defending champions Ghana and a determined Tunisia. The match, described by many as a “final before the final,” saw tactical brilliance and intense competition from both sides.
The tension was so high that the umpires had to step in during the first set to calm the heated atmosphere by holding a brief meeting with the team managers.
Tunisia outplayed Ghana in the first set, scoring 19 runs against Ghana’s 5, and they continued their dominance in the second set after the break, sealing the victory with an 8-3 scoreline.
Tunisia’s win ensured that the game did not go into a third set, leaving Ghana with a lot to reflect on before their final match on Sunday.
The competition resumes on Sunday at 9:00am WAT, where Ghana will face Benin Republic, followed by a clash between Tunisia and Nigeria at 10:30am WAT, as the tournament heads into its final stages.
