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NIGERIA DEFEATS ZAMBIA BY 32 RUNS AT WCL AFRICA 2 | (2008-10-05 )
The Nigerian cricket team opened its account at the on-going ICC-Africa
World Cricket League Division 2 with a heart-warming victory over higher-
ranked Zambia by 32 runs yesterday in Benoni, South Africa.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria scored 212 runs for the loss
of 7 wickets in 50 overs with Jide Bejide notching 50 not out, Endurance
Ofem 48, Kunle Adegbola 39 and Dolapo Gafar 23 all contributing to the
team total positively.
In response the Zambians finished at 180 runs, short of the target by 32
runs with strong bowling from the following Nigerians; Endurance Ofem
who took 3 for 19 in 9.2 overs; Jide Bejide 3 for 49 in 10; Joshua Ogunlola
2 for 24 in 10; Kunle Adegbola 1 for 34 in 10 and Chimezie 1 for 27 in 5.
It was an all round performance by the Nigerians with Endurance Ofem
4 catches while Uthe Ogbimi and Lekan Awolowo took one one.
The victory is symbolic as the first Nigerian victory in the WCL and its
first victory over Zambia in recent times as well as Nigeria's first victory
over a non-West African opponent in recent times and it was an apt gift
by the team to the NCF President, Kwesi Sagoe whose birthday was
yesterday.
In other matches played yesterday, tournament favourites Botswana
demolished Swaziland by 10 wickets with the Swazis only allowed to
score 69 runs all out by the Botswanian team who reached the target
with no loss.
The other match between the other West African participant, Ghana
and Mozambique finished in a close 25-run victory for the Mozambiqans
who scored 186 while the Ghanaians relied with 161.
The matches continue today9Sunday) with Nigeria locking horns with
Swaziland while Ghana engages Botswana and Mozambique tackling
Zambia.
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