TheCable

Kenya on Saturday in Abuja defeated Nigeria by 11 runs to win the International Cricket Council’s Africa U-19 men division 2 qualifiers.

The final match was reduced to 40 overs after the pitch took time to be fully ready for the game due to overnight rain. But it ended well for the east Africans who had chosen to bat first after winning the toss.

After containing the Nigerian bowler’s quest for early wicket, the Kenyans eventually crumbled in the 35th over with 90 runs on the board, a total that the host country could not defend.

Kenya, Nigeria and Sierra Leone emerged as the three qualifiers to the next stage of the World Cup ticket chase where Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia are waiting.

Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said the Junior Yellow-Greens had taken useful lessons from the Abuja event and would concentrate on rebuilding for the division one qualifiers in South Africa next year ahead of the chase for the World Cup ticket.

“We are more pleased that the twin ovals at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja hosted her first international cricket event and our players now have access to quality preparation for international matches,” Akpata said.

Sunday Dare, the youth and sports development minister, has commended the ICC and Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for the excellent organisation of the qualifiers.

Dare, who spoke at the event’s closing ceremony, specifically praised the NCF for its focused and strategic efforts at carrying what he called government’s vision for sports development.

“The facility here and what it means to Nigeria sports development, especially cricket, is a major win and we look forward to working with the ICC on cricket development in Nigeria,” he said.

The minister encouraged the Nigerian U-19 team to bounce back from Saturday’s loss and prepare adequately for the World Cup playoffs in South Africa.