- Triumph: Niger U17 cricket team wins big at zonal qualifiers.
- Unbeaten: The team finished the tournament without a single loss.
- Dominance: Niger defeated Benue in the final match to secure their victory.
- Next Steps: All eyes are now on the finals in Abuja.
Niger’s U17 Cricket Team Secures Victory
Niger’s U17 cricket team has made the state proud by winning the Under 17 Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) North Central zonal qualifiers! The team sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), showed their dominance on the field, securing the top spot after a series of thrilling matches.
How Niger Crushed the Competition
The final showdown saw Niger facing off against Benue. Niger won the toss and chose to bowl first. They started strong, quickly taking a wicket. However, they lost momentum, giving away a significant number of extra runs.
Benue’s batting lineup couldn’t capitalize, managing only 53/8 in 15 overs. In response, Niger’s opening batsmen, Isaac Oyewole and Usman Ibrahim, needed only 9 overs to score 55/0, securing the win for Niger!
Coach’s Pride and Future Plans
Aliyu Abubakar, the coach of the Niger team, expressed his excitement about the team’s performance. He acknowledged areas for improvement but was overall impressed with the players’ efforts. He is now focused on preparing the team for the finals in Abuja.
“The boys played well, although there are lots of areas to work on, but ordinarily, they gave their best. Our focus is now on the finals scheduled to begin next week in Abuja. We hope to make our zone proud in the tournament,” he said.
Other Standout Performers
While Niger took the top spot, other teams and players also shone during the tournament:
- Benue: Secured second place.
- Kwara & Kogi: Finished third and fourth, respectively.
- Salisu Ishaq (Kogi): Awarded best batter (70 runs).
- Mohammed Yahaya (Benue): Crowned best bowler.
- Samuel Ayomide & Marvelous Olusegun (Kwara): Named best fielder and MVP, respectively.
Women’s Category Highlights
In the women’s category, Kogi emerged as champions among the three participating teams, with Kwara and FCT finishing second and third, respectively. Sofia Waheed from Kwara was the best female batter, while Hassana Salihu of Kogi was the best bowler.
What’s Next for Team Niger?
With the zonal qualifiers conquered, Team Niger is setting its sights on the finals in Abuja. All eyes will be on these young cricket stars as they compete for national glory. Nigerians are definitely going to rally behind them.
Cricket in Nigeria: Did You Know?
- Cricket has been played in Nigeria since the late 19th century.
- The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) oversees the development of the sport in the country.
- Nigeria’s national cricket team has participated in international competitions.
- Cricket is gaining popularity among young people in Nigeria.
This victory is not just a win for Niger, but a win for cricket in Nigeria. As the sport continues to grow, these young talents are inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
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