Nigeria beat Rwanda by seven wickets to stay in Division 1 race

Nigeria's Junior YellowGreens secured a seven-wicket victory over hosts Rwanda to maintain their pursuit of a return to Division One. Chasing a target of 80, Nigeria reached 84 for three in 15.2 overs at the Gahanga Main Oval in Kigali.

The Nigerian bowling attack dismissed Rwanda for 79 runs in 23.1 overs. Emmanuel Oladejo took 3/9 from five overs, including two maidens, while Abdullahi Ismail claimed 3/19 from seven overs. Keneth Boniface also took three wickets, finishing with 3/22 from six overs, which included two maidens.

Captain Ali Rahmon noted that while the team restricted the hosts to 80 runs, the bowling lacked discipline in the first 10 overs due to extras. He suggested that a total of 50 or 60 runs would have been a better result.

In the run chase, Ali Rahmon and Hossana Omonkhobhio shared a 46-run opening partnership. Rahmon scored 24 from 38 balls with three boundaries, while Omonkhobhio added 18 from 19 balls, including three fours and a six. Peculiar Egemasi remained unbeaten on 19 from 20 balls, and Boniface finished the game with 7* from five balls.

Keneth Boniface was named Player of the Match for his three wickets and his role in finishing the chase.

Following three matches, Nigeria sits third on the league table with 4 points and a net run rate of 1.531. The Junior YellowGreens have two remaining fixtures in the qualification campaign against Mozambique U19 and Sierra Leone U19.