Junior YellowGreens clinch Division One return

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Nigeria’s Junior YellowGreens have secured their return to Division One of African youth cricket, signing off their ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division Two campaign with a 165-run victory over Sierra Leone to finish second on the table, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The Junior YellowGreens won four of their five matches at the tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, ending their campaign with a dominant performance that underlined their readiness to return to the higher tier of the competition.

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In their final match at the Gahanga B Oval, Nigeria posted an imposing 311 for nine from their 50 overs before bowling out Sierra Leone for 146 in 45.5 overs to complete the 165-run win.

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Keneth Boniface produced the standout individual performance of the campaign, smashing an unbeaten century off 74 balls, laced with 10 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 135.14, to provide the finishing power behind Nigeria’s total.

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Captain Ali Rahmon also played a key role, anchoring the innings with a well-made 74 off 88 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Peculiar Egemasi made 33, while Hossana Omonkhobhio scored 30 and Abdullahi Ismail added 19 as Nigeria posted their imposing total.

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Chasing 312 for victory, Sierra Leone found Nigeria’s bowling attack just as unforgiving.

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Daniel Ayodele led the bowling effort with figures of three wickets for 22 runs from his eight overs, which included two maidens, while Pelumi Orimolade also claimed three wickets for 15 runs. Abdullahi Ismail chipped in with two wickets for 28 runs as Sierra Leone were dismissed for 146, with Sahr Lebbie top-scoring for the West African side with 41 and Ibrahim Bangura contributing 27.

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Across their five matches in Rwanda, Nigeria showed the ability to win through disciplined bowling, controlled chases, aggressive batting and individual brilliance, a combination that earned them a runners-up finish and, more importantly, promotion back to Division One.

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The Junior YellowGreens will now share the Division One stage with Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, a step up in competition that the young side will approach with confidence following their strong showing in the qualifiers.

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