Nigeria beats Ghana, meets Botswana Tuesday

 

AFTER its opening day defeat by high-riding Fiji, Nigeria on Sunday defeated Ghana to revive its hope of being among the first two finishers at the on-going Botswana 2013 World Cricket League (WCL) Division Seven Championship.

The two best teams from the competition will qualify to play in the Division Six of the league, while the others would fall off the world ladder following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to scrap Division Seven of the league.

Playing at the Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) oval in Gaborone, Nigeria restricted Ghana to 254 for nine to win by six wickets despite losing two early wickets.

James Vifah (41), Simon Ateak (34), Samson Awiah (35) and Obed Harvey (33) created a strong foundation for Ghana, before the middle order crumbled and the side lost quick wickets.

Saheed Akolade led Nigeria’s wicket taking with three for 43.

A patient half-century from Endurance Ofem (56) and a hard-hitting century from Oladotun Olatunji (127), including 15 fours and two sixes, saw Nigeria reach 256 in forty-five overs for the victory.

Stephen Bagabena took two wickets for Ghana, including that of man of the match Olatunji.

Speaking after the game, a satisfied Captain, Adekunle Adegbola said, “it was a wonderful game from both sides, and a sweet victory for Nigeria.”

But a disappointed Captain of Ghana, Peter Ananya said his side let too many chances slip, adding, “our fielding was poor.”

In continuation of its quest for success in this championship, Nigeria will meet hosts, Botswana, at the BCA oval today.

Nigeria defeated the hosts in the 2011 edition of the competition, and Ricky Sharma, who was the opener in the first game against Fiji, says today’s game would determine the country’s fate in the play-off hence the players’ determination to subdue the hosts again.

“We were a bit careless in the first game, but we steadied the ship in the second match. Now, we are going for broke against Botswana, and with God on our side, we will overcome them again.”

Before Nigeria’s battle against Botswana today, topside, Fiji, will host another side that has not lost any game, Vanuatu, in a game that promises all the thrills of a classic encounter.

Vanuatu defeated Botswana on Sunday to record its second victory in as many games, while Fiji continued its winning streak with the defeat of Germany.

Monday was rest day for all the teams.