Nigeria has defeated Cameroon by 10 wickets with 84 balls left in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The game which was played at the Botswana Cricket Oval Gaborone on Monday, saw the Cameroonian side winning the toss and choosing to bat first in their debut ICC event.
They had majorly Nantia Kenfack to thank for scoring 23 runs in 32 balls ahead Jeanne Ngono, the other best performer in the team, who made seven runs in 13 balls, and together contributing to the team’s tally of 47 runs in 19.3 overs with all wickets out.
Like a walk in the park, a very confident Nigerian side needed only 6.3 overs to score 48 runs in the second innings.
The opening partnership of Esther Sandy and Kehinde Abdulquadri was enough to claim the victory, even though team captain, Blessing Etim, won the Player of the Match by downing four wickets and claiming four maiden overs.
A maiden over is an over in which no runs are scored that count against the bowler.
“This is the first time ever I am bowling four overs, four wickets and no runs. I give glory to God and I appreciate the efforts of my team mates for making this possible.
“ The game was not a very difficult one for us because we listened to our coaches and made our target,’’ an elated Etim said after the game, while also dedicating her award to her team mates.
On his part, Onome Oghenekevwe, the team coach, said the team’s victory showed that they were no push overs.
“Today’s victory was good. Ten wickets victory shows how strong the players are and as far as am concerned, this team is one of the best sides in this tournament.
“ I think that they need more time together as a team and gather as much experiences as possible so that they can go places,’’ Oghenekevwe said.
Nigeria had played four matches, winning two, but will have to await the outcome of the Uganda vs Sierra Leone match on Tuesday, to determine a spot in the semi-finals.
Namibia is currently top of the group and has already qualified with three wins in three matches, while Uganda is second with two wins in three matches, pending the outcome of their last game on Tuesday.
Nigeria, in third place, could have a fighting chance for a semis spot, if Sierra Leone defeats Uganda.
Four teams are expected to qualify from both groups, with Zimbabwe leading the pack in group A.
