Nigeria secured a dramatic, first-ever spot in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2020 after they beat Sierra Leone by two wickets on the final day of the Africa qualifying tournament in Namibia.
Set 139 to win, Nigeria endured a nervy chase, slipping to 87 for six at one point, before Man of the Match Peter Aho scored a priceless 21 not out to see them home. The entire squad rushed onto the field in jubilation, as they confirmed their seat at their first ever global tournament.
Aho had also taken two wickets earlier when Sierra Leone posted 138 all out at Affies Park in Windhoek. On the adjacent field, Namibia had posted a massive victory over Kenya, so Nigeria simply had to win.
Sierra Leone provided them with plenty of challenges, as Haroun Kamara’s 58 from 60 balls propelled his side to a testing target. John Bangura chipped in with hearty 21, and as Sierra Leone refused to go quietly.
Osman Sankoh’s late 24 also lifted the tempo, and the previously unheralded Abdulrahman Jimoh took two quick wickets for Nigeria at the end to reduce their target.
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In response, Nigeria endured a tumultuous time of it, not aided by a gathering storm. Isaac Danladi’s responsible 25 was crucial, while Miracle Ikaige also lent a hand with a vital 22, but the wickets kept tumbling and the pressure kept on mounting.
Aho’s nerveless intervention, mixed with occasional aggression, whittled down the target, and Nigeria were helped over the line by the cheering Ugandan squad. Namibia, on the other hand, were understandably cheering on Sierra Leone, having completed a 198-run drubbing of Kenya.
Skipper Divan la Cock was again in the runs with 88 from 102 balls, while Jan-Izak de Villiers added a steady 55 as Namibia piled on the runs. Ramon Wilmot had set them on their way with a blitzkrieg 46 from just 31 balls, clubbing three sixes in the process.
The hosts eventually ended on 294 for five as they finished the tournament like a freight train. They rolled Kenya over for 96, with Mauritius Ngupita yet again in the wickets. His three for 15 supplemented De Villiers’ burst upfront as Namibia rushed through the East Africans.
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In the final game of the tournament, Uganda’s Zephania Arinaitwe clattered a 40-ball 102 to blaze his side to an eight-wicket victory. He made light work of a target after Tanzania had been bowled out for 144.
Ashish Shah scored 40 and Aahil Jasani 28, as Tanzania tried to mount a challenging total. Skipper Frank Akankwasa and Juma Miyagi took three wickets apiece, as Uganda finished off their tournament in some style.
The stage was then set for Arinaitwe to hammer nine sixes and six fours in his astonishing innings. He rushed to the total of 145 in just 12.2 overs, to demolish Tanzania, and finish off a dramatic week in Windhoek with quite a flourish.
Scores
Nigeria v Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone 138 all out (H Kamara 58, O Sankoh 24; A Jimoh 2-2)
Nigeria 139 for eight (I Danladi 25, M Ikaige 22, P Aho 21 not out; O Sankoh 3-13)
Nigeria won by two wickets
Namibia v Kenya
Namibia 294 for five ( D la Cock 88, J De Villiers 55)
Kenya 96 all out (S Ghataora 28; M Ngupita 3-15, J De Villiers 3-24)
Namibia won by 198 runs
Tanzania v Uganda
Tanzania 144 all out (A Shah 40, A Jasani 28; J Miyagi 3-21, F Akankwasa 3-33)
Uganda 147 for two (Z Arinaitwe 102 not out)
Uganda won by eight wickets
FINAL POINTS TABLE
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Points | NRR |
| Nigeria | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1,237 |
| Namibia | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2,760 |
| Uganda | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0,581 |
| Sierra Leone | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0,880 |
| Kenya | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1,268 |
| Tanzania | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2,668 |
Photos: ICC
