African Games: Nigeria women’s cricket team qualifies for semi-final

Nigeria’s female Yellow-Greens have qualified for the semifinals of the women’s cricket event at the ongoing 2024 African Games in Ghana. 

Nigeria booked a place in the final four of the competition despite losing by four wickets to South Africa at the Achimota Senior Secondary School B Field in Accra on Sunday.

The female Yellow-Greens finished second in Group A after sharing points with Tanzania in their first game and defeating Namibia, one of the highly-rated female cricket teams on the continent, with a 55-run result in their second game.

The match against South Africa was highly anticipated as it held the fate of not only Nigeria but also Tanzania, who needed more than a win over Namibia to make it to the semis. They also needed Nigeria to lose enough to wipe off their net run rate (NRR), as their win will only tie them on points.

Nigeria’s 74-run total in 18.4 was not commanding enough to sway South Africa, the best-ranked team in the event, and they resorted to relying on bowling prowess to limit the damage the Protea Women would have done to their NRR in defeat.

Seshnie Naidu did the most damage to the Yellow-Greens after taking four wickets, but not without the batting brilliance of Faye Tinniclife, who left 45 runs on the cards before being bowled by Usen Peace.

Nigeria lost but qualified ahead of Tanzania, who also won their game against Namibia by one wicket.

Speaking after the match, Blessing Etim, captain of the Nigerian team, said only the qualification mattered all that mattered after her team failed to defend the 74-run total they left in the first inning against the South Africans.

“I must commend my teammates for the commitment they have put in here. I thank Lilian (Ude) for the five wickets she contributed in this game, as it is one of the major things that has kept us in the competition so far,” Etim said.

Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, attributed the Yellow-Greens’ performance to hard work and commitment.

“We are pleased to see the girls play to near their full potential. I can assure you that more is still coming, but honestly, all this validates the work and the vision of the current leadership of the federation,” Akpata said.