Nigeria secure double victory in NCF quadrangular T20 tourney

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Nigeria opened their campaign in the Nigeria Cricket Federation Quadrangular T20 Series with two victories on Monday, as Nigeria A defeated Sierra Leone by 33 runs before the senior side cruised past Ghana by eight wickets at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos, The PUNCH reports.

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In the first game of the day, Nigeria A posted 113/8 in their allotted 20 overs after being sent in to bat, with Olayinka Olaleye top-scoring with 25 off 32 balls. Mohammed Taiwo added a brisk unbeaten 28 off 20 balls, while Hosannah Omonhhobhio contributed 13 from 11 deliveries to help Nigeria A set a competitive target.

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Sierra Leone struggled in reply and were bowled out for 80 in 19.5 overs. Elochukwu Ndubudem was the pick of the Nigerian bowlers with three wickets for 10 runs in four overs, while Mustapha Yussuf also claimed three wickets and Gafar Kareem took two.

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Nigeria A consequently secured a 33-run victory, with Ndubudem named Player of the Match.

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The senior Nigeria side produced an equally impressive display against Ghana later in the day, restricting their opponents to 91/9 in 20 overs after Ghana won the toss and elected to bat. Judah Solomon top-scored for Ghana with 35 off 44 balls, while Philip Yevugah made 15 off 11.

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Nigeria’s bowlers kept Ghana under pressure throughout the innings, with Miracle Akhigbe taking two wickets for 14 runs in four overs and Chima Akachukwu also claiming two wickets for 10 runs in three overs. Peter Aho and Ridwan Abdulkareem took one wicket each as Ghana finished on 91/9.

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The chase was then wrapped up in just 13 overs, with Isaac Danladi leading the way with an unbeaten 52 off 41 balls, including six fours and a six. Miracle Akhigbe provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls, including two sixes, as Nigeria reached 95/2 to win by eight wickets.

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The two Nigerian teams, made up of a mix of national-team players and emerging prospects, will face each other in the second game of Tuesday’s double-header at the TBS Cricket Oval. Ghana will face Sierra Leone in the opening game before Nigeria and Nigeria A meet.

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The Yellow Greens are expected to use the quadrangular series as part of their preparations for upcoming international engagements, particularly the 2028 T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional C Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Abuja from October 18 to 25.

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The national team have been in camp under new high-performance manager Stephen Mangongo, who was unveiled in May after signing a three-year deal with the Nigeria Cricket Federation.

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Mangongo replaced Kenyan coach Steve Tikolo, who left the role earlier this year after more than three years in charge.

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