Nigeria began their campaign in the Nigeria Cricket Federation Quadrangular T20 Series on a winning note, recording victories over Sierra Leone and Ghana at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos on Monday.
Nigeria A opened the day with a 33-run victory over Sierra Leone after posting 113/8 in 20 overs.
Olayinka Olaleye led the scoring for Nigeria A with 25 runs off 32 balls, while Mohammed Taiwo struck an unbeaten 28 from 20 deliveries.
Hosannah Omonhhobhio also chipped in with 13 runs off 11 balls.
Sierra Leone struggled to match Nigeria A’s total and were dismissed for 80 in 19.5 overs.
Elochukwu Ndubudem claimed three wickets for 10 runs in four overs, while Mustapha Yussuf also took three wickets and Gafar Kareem finished with two.
Ndubudem was subsequently named Player of the Match as Nigeria A secured a 33-run win.
The senior Nigeria side followed up with an eight-wicket victory over Ghana in the second match of the day, restricting their opponents to 91/9 after Ghana opted to bat first.
Judah Solomon was Ghana’s leading scorer with 35 off 44 balls, while Philip Yevugah added 15 from 11 deliveries.
Nigeria’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Miracle Akhigbe taking two wickets for 14 runs in four overs and Chima Akachukwu claiming two for 10 in three overs. Peter Aho and Ridwan Abdulkareem took one wicket apiece.
Nigeria needed only 13 overs to complete the chase, reaching 95/2 to seal the eight-wicket victory.
Isaac Danladi anchored the successful chase with an unbeaten 52 off 41 balls, including six fours and a six, while Akhigbe finished unbeaten on 19 from 11 deliveries, hitting two sixes.
Nigeria and Nigeria A, comprising a blend of national-team players and emerging talents, will meet in the second game of Tuesday’s double-header at the TBS Cricket Oval.
Ghana and Sierra Leone will contest the opening match before the two Nigerian sides face each other.
The Yellow Greens are using the quadrangular series to prepare for upcoming international assignments, including the 2028 T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional C Qualifier billed for Abuja from October 18 to 25.
Nigeria have been under the supervision of new high-performance manager Stephen Mangongo, who was unveiled in May after agreeing a three-year contract with the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
Mangongo succeeded Kenyan coach Steve Tikolo, who departed earlier this year after more than three years in charge of the national team.
