Nigeria’s Male Senior Cricket Team Posts Impressive Win, Secures Top Position in 2026 ICC World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier
The Yellow Greens made a statement in the 2026 ICC World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C, taking down Eswatini by five wickets in a thrilling contest at the NCF Oval 2, part of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Eswatini won the toss and opted to bat, initially looking well on their way to a strong total as they reached 137 runs, seven wickets falling in 20 overs. However, it was Eswatini’s captain Adil Butt who stole the show, scoring an unbeaten 88 off just 60 deliveries.
Butt’s impressive display included well-placed boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking and provided momentum for his team. Nevertheless, the Nigerian bowling attack, led by Isaac Danladi and Ridwan Abdulkareem, who each took three wickets, put pressure on Eswatini and executed crucial dismissals throughout the innings.
The chase proved a challenge for the Yellow Greens, who struggled to find their footing, with none of their batsmen managing to score more than 50 runs. Eswatini’s bowlers, including Minhaz Khojbariya, Mancoba Jele, Melusi Magagula, and Butt, all chipped in with one wicket each, making the run chase increasingly nerve-wracking.
However, the Yellow Greens’ resolve and teamwork shone through, as they achieved their target in just 63 minutes, scoring 138 runs for the loss of five wickets in 15 overs. This victory secures their third straight win in the tournament, placing them at the top of the standings with six points, firmly in contention for one of the two final spots.
In related news, Botswana remains close behind, securing a 10-wicket win over Ivory Coast to close the gap. Sierra Leone also made gains, defeating St. Helena by four wickets and climbing to four points, maintaining their qualification bid.
