It was the match to separate the two sides, as they’ve both won twice, at the ongoing West Africa Trophy, organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation and sponsored by Dafabet.
Ghana’s Senior National Men’s team won toss and allowed Nigeria to set the pace to chase, in the encounter played in the early hours of Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval.
The greens and yellows started well but lost some really quick wickets in the last 5 overs, with Michael Aboagye (4-0-21-3) getting a brace, and a duck out on captain Sylvester Okpe.
Obed Harvey also contributed to the bowling performance with 4-0-23-3, while Syed Aqeel Israr wrapped it up in the 19.3 overs, his wicket, with Nigeria at 129/10.
Off course, a chaseable score for Ghana in the second innings which had a bad start.
Openers, Captain Samson Awe Awiah and James Vifah were given an early change over by good catches of Peter Aho while Ghana stood at 16/2 in 4 overs.
Obed Harvey with 38(35), partnered 7 other batters after coming on as the 3rd, producing a total of 75 runs before he was bowled by Abdul Kareem on the 14.6 overs.
Obed’s wicket became a big one and Ghana continued to chase for glory but the required runs rather increased with limited balls to face.
Ghana finally managed 94/10 in 17.6 overs as Godfred’s reach for a boundary 6 was beautifully caught by Peter Aho at the edge of the lines to give Nigeria a 35 Runs victory.
Ghana continues their campaign at the four-nation tourney on Saturday afternoon at 2:15pm against Sierra Leone, who lost to Rwanda in the afternoon game.
Sierra Leone have gone winless in 3 matches so far, including a 3 wicket loss to Ghana on Wednesday, October 4.
Ghana on the other hand would seek their 3rd victory and a double against Sierra Leone.
Ghana is seeking to beat Nigeria since they defeated the latter at their backyard back-to-back-to-back-to-back in 2018.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
