Nigeria’s under-19 boys cricket team coach, Uthe Ogbimi has expressed immense relish with his side’s shock victory over Namibia in the Africa Division 1 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup qualifiers, sports247.ng reports.
Ogbimi was ecstatic after his side on Sunday proved bookmakers wrong by defeating their hosts with 77 runs in the opening game of the series at Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
After the 1st innings, Nigeria, who won the toss and elected to bat in the encounter, scored a total of 129 runs for the loss of 8 wickets after 50 overs with Samuel Mba scoring 25 runs off 90 balls, Miracle Ikaige 22 runs off 48 balls (Not Out) and Emmanuel Boniface, 19 runs off 31 balls.
In the 2nd innings, Namibia were bowled out by the Nigerians after scoring a paltry 77 runs as the Nigerian captain Sylvester Okpe, who emerged man of the match, hit a bowling statistics of 3 for 16 in 7 overs.
Emmanuel Boniface also contributed with a figure of 2-for-1 in 2.1 overs, and Ogbimi said the victory, which he termed very crucial to their quest in the qualifiers, would boost the players’ confidence for other matches.
Ogbimi added: “A lot of things are coming together for the team and all the time we spent together in camp is becoming very useful.”
