Ghana shocks Nigeria by seven wickets, hosts battle with Sierra Leone today

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the final phase of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup was dampened yesterday at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval where perennial rivals, Ghana defeated the hosts by seven wickets in a tension soaked game.

Captain Michael Aboagye side fielded first and courtesy of superb bowling from David Ankrah, who got three wickets, 14 runs in four overs, while the quartet of Koffi Bagabena, Vincent Ateak, Isaac and Michael Aboagye ensured Nigeria were reduced in the first innings to 119 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs.

Nigerian batsmen had a bad day at the crease and only the duo of Dotun Olatunji, 46 runs off 30 balls which included four fours and three sixes, and Captain Chimezie Onwuzulike, 33 runs off 29 balls, tried to salvage some batting collapse.

The second Innings saw Ghana attaining that feat with Simon Ateak scoring 50 runs not out off 57 balls, James Vifah posted 32 runs off 35 balls and the duo of Rexford Bakum and Awe Awiah added 11 runs.

Speaking after the game, Ghana Captain, Aboagye praised his team for putting up a spirited fight despite playing on an away ground.

“We knew the Nigerian game was going to be tough so we planned the strategy of getting the wickets of their top batsmen immediately we lost the loss and it worked out that way.

“This victory is not time to celebrate because there is a lot work to be done”

On his part, Nigerian captain, Chimezie Onwuzulike agreed the first innings, where they batted first, let them down and accepts the fault while promising to make amends in future games.