Nigeria Defeats Rwanda to Book ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Final Spot

Nigeria’s Junior Female YellowGreens have defeated Rwanda U19 Women by nine wickets to secure a place in the final of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 1 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The victory was Nigeria’s fourth consecutive win in four matches, extending the team’s unbeaten run and confirming the Junior Female YellowGreens as one of the standout teams of the tournament.
This was contained in a statement by Zeal Ibe, Media Manager, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) on Thursday in Lagos.
Ibe said Rwanda won the toss and elected to bat at the TCA Cricket Arena, but Nigeria’s bowling unit quickly took control, dismissing the Rwandans for 65 runs in 19.1 overs.
He said Nigeria then made light work of the chase, reaching 66 runs for one wicket in 10.4 overs to record a comprehensive nine-wicket victory.
Ibe said Nigeria’s success was built around another outstanding performance by the bowling unit.
He said Captain Christabel Chukwuonye, who was named Player of the Match, delivered a sensational spell, claiming four wickets for six runs in 3.1 overs.
According to him, Chukwuonye dismantled Rwanda’s lower order and finished with an economy rate of 1.89.
He said Peace Usen also impressed with two wickets for seven runs from four overs, including two maiden overs, while Jennifer Godwin claimed two wickets for seven runs.
Ibe said Nigeria’s disciplined bowling ensured that Rwanda struggled to build partnerships throughout the innings.
He said only Thania Niyorukundo made a significant contribution, scoring 20 runs from 28 deliveries, as Rwanda were eventually bowled out for 65 runs.
“The wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with Nigeria’s attack maintaining pressure until the final Rwanda batter was dismissed in the 19.1st over,” he stated.
Ibe said Nigeria approached the chase with composure, in spite of losing Beauty Oguai for two runs early in the innings.
He said the early setback did not affect Nigeria’s momentum, as Omosigho Eguakun produced another important innings, remaining unbeaten on 35 runs from 29 balls.
According to him, Eguakun struck six boundaries at a strike rate of 120.69.
He said Shola Adekunle also remained unbeaten on 26 runs from 26 deliveries, hitting five boundaries.
Ibe said the pair guided Nigeria safely across the line in just 10.4 overs.
He said the victory was another example of Nigeria’s growing maturity in the tournament, with the team clinical with the ball and measured when required with the bat.
“The significance of this victory goes beyond the nine-wicket margin.
“Four matches later, the Junior Female YellowGreens have delivered four victories.
“From their opening win over Uganda, followed by a commanding victory against Malawi, to the emphatic performance against Rwanda.
“Nigeria have consistently demonstrated the depth, discipline and competitive character required to navigate a high-pressure qualification tournament,” he said
Ibe said Nigeria had entered the tournament with a clear objective of securing qualification and earning the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage.
He said the latest result had further strengthened the team’s case as one of the leading sides in the competition.
He said the Junior Female YellowGreens would face the winner of the second semi-final between Zimbabwe U19 Women and Uganda U19 Women in the final.
He, however, said the team would not be resting on its achievements so far, as the final presented an opportunity to complete an exceptional campaign with a fifth consecutive victory.
“For Nigeria, the final presents an opportunity to complete what has so far been an exceptional campaign with a fifth consecutive victory.
“More importantly, underline the emergence of another exciting generation of Nigerian female cricketers.
“Nigeria is unbeaten. Nigeria is in the final. The Junior Female YellowGreens are one step away from finishing the job,” he said.