Team Niger won the NCF U17 North Central zonal qualifiers, defeating Benue in the final match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. They completed the tournament without losses, and Coach Aliyu Abubakar is optimistic about continuing their success into the finals. Notable individual performances included those from players of Kogi and Kwara, showcasing the depth of talent within the tournament.
On Tuesday, Team Niger secured victory in the North Central zonal qualifiers of the Under 17 Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), sponsored by PwC. They triumphed over Benue without losing a single game in the tournament, which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Niger’s players demonstrated clinical bowling, particularly at the beginning of the match where they dismissed Benue’s Hamisu Abdulrahman for a duck within the first few balls, despite giving away 36 extras during the innings.
In the batting response, Benue struggled to capitalize on the loose moments, managing only 53 runs for 8 wickets over 15 overs. Niger’s opening batsmen Isaac Oyewole and Usman Ibrahim efficiently chased down the target, finishing at 55/0 after only 9 overs. Post-match, Coach Aliyu Abubakar expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging areas for improvement as they gear up for the finals scheduled for next week in Abuja.
Niger’s Under 17 cricket team demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, leading them to an undefeated run in the North Central zonal qualifiers. With a focus on the upcoming finals, the team aims to represent their zone proudly. Key individual performances, such as from Kogi and Kwara’s players, highlight the competition’s talent, setting the stage for exciting matches ahead.
Original Source: nannews.ng
