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2ND NORTH- WEST AFRICA CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIP ENDS | (2008-04-15 )

Nigeria retained the coveted trophy and successfully hosted the second edition of the North -West Africa Cricket Championship held in Lagos and Abeokuta, Ogun State from April 1- 10, 2008, attracting the best cricketers around the North-West Africa axis. Five countries participated in the 10-day championship, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Mali and host nation, Nigeria. A total of 10 matches were played.

Nigeria, on Sunday, April 10, at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos, in a match 10 encounter, defeated hard fighting Sierra Leone by 1 wicket. The visitors scored 142 all out while the host nation surpassed the target with 1 wicket in hand. Endurance Ofem (Nigeria) top scored with (39) while L. Lamin (Sierra Leone) took 4 wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs.

Match 1, was played at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos on April 3 between the host country, Nigeria and Gambia. Nigeria won by 278 runs. Batting first, Nigeria amassed a total of 365 runs for 7 wickets in 50 overs while Gambia was dismissed for 87 all out in 35.3 overs.

Top scores for Nigeria were, E.Ofem (111), A. Onikoyi (42), K. Adegbola (36), S. Olayinka (30), J. Ghosalkar (22), J. Bejide (22), W. Adeoye (22*) and J. Ogunlola (18). W. Adeoye and E.Ofem took 3wickets for 32 runs and 3 wickets for 2 runs respectively.

Match 2, played on April 4 at the Cricket Pitch, MKO Aioli Stadium, Abeokuta, Sierra Leone won Ghana by 48 runs. Sierra Leone scored 195 runs for 7 wickets in 50 overs, Ghana scored 147 runs in 32.1 overs.

Top scorers for Sierra Leone: J. Mansaray (77), M. Kallon (25).

 M. Dumbuya and I. Sesay took 3 wickets for 36 in 7.2 overs and  3 for 22 in 7 overs respectively.

Top scores for Ghana were: L. Ateak (31) and J. Vifah (24). M. Bawa (Ghana), had a personal bowling figures of 3 for 27 in 10 overs.

Match 3, played at TBS, Lagos on April 5, Ghana defeated Gambia by 201 runs. Ghana scored a total of 260 runs in 50 overs while Gambia’s innings ended on 59 runs all out in 19.1 overs.

Top scores for Ghana: L. Ateak (67), J. Vifah (47), J. Agor (38) and F.Dake (23). Top wicket takers for Ghana were, P. Ananya, 3wickets for 21 runs in 6 overs and J. Mensah, 3 for 15runs in 6 overs. R.Ntiamoah of Ghana accounted for four dismissals behind the stumps. G. Greywoode of Gambia scored 26 runs.

Match 4, played at TBS, Lagos on April 6 between Nigeria and Ghana, Nigeria won convincingly by 144 runs margin. Nigeria scored 210 for 8 wickets in 50 overs, Ghana was bowled out for 66 runs in 24.1 overs. Top scorers for Nigeria were, T. Atoloye (71), S. Olayinka (24), A. Onikoyi (24) and T. Olayinka (24). T. Haruna of Nigeria had a good bowling figures of 5 wickets for 15 runs in 7 overs while M. Bawa of Ghana took 4 wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs.

Match 5, April 6, MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, Sierra Leone amassed 379 runs for 6 wickets in 50 0vers a and bowled Mali out for 12 runs in 10.4 overs. Top scores for Sierra Leone were: E. Kamara (82), A.B. Kamara (53), J. Mansaray (51), l. Senesie (51), I. Sesay (35) and L. Lamin (28*). He also took 7 wickets for 4 runs in 5 overs, supported by G. Anthony with 2 wickets for 8 runs in 6 overs.

Match 6, played at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on April 7, Ghana defeated Mali by 9 wickets. Mali was bowled out for a paltry 24 runs in 13.4 overs. E. Apedo of Ghana took 5 wickets for 8 runs in 6 overs and Pratek. V also took 4 wickets for 4 runs in 2.4 overs.

Match 7, April 7 at the TBS Oval, Lagos, Sierra Leone won Gambia by 157 runs. Sierra Leone scored 284 runs for 4 wickets in 50 overs while Ghana scored 127 runs all out in 41 overs.

Top scores for Sierra Leone were: E. Kamara (80), L. Senesie (61*) and L. Lamin (66*). M. Bahoum of Gambia  (51). Top wicket takers for Sierra Leone were, M. Kallon, 3 wickets for 17 runs in 10 overs and A.B. Kamara, 3 wickets for 20 runs in 5 overs.

Match 8, played at TBS on April 8, Gambia won Mali by 8 wickets. Mali scored 151 runs all out in 42 overs. Gambia replied with 155 runs for 2 wickets in 22 overs. Top scorers for Gambia were, G. Greywoode (57*) and M. Bahoum (56*). Top scores for Mali were, M. Keita  (36), S. Ballo (24) and M. Sylla (16).

Top wicket takers for Gambia, M. Dumbuya 3 wickets for 38 runs in 10 overs and W. Riley, 5 wickets for 12 runs in 5.2 overs.

Match 9. played at the TBS, Lagos on April 9, Nigeria defeated Mali by 10 wickets. Mali was bowled out for 15 runs in 14.1 overs. Outstanding bowlers for Nigeria were

 K. Agbowanegbe, 5 wickets for 3 runs in 7.1 overs and C. Onwuzulike, 5 wickets for 11 runs in in 4 overs.

Lamin. L (Sierra Leone) was awarded the Bowler of the Series, Ateak.L (Ghana), Fieldsman of the Series, Olayinka. S (Nigeria), Wicket Keeper of the Series, while Ofem. E (Nigeria) was awarded Batsman of the Series and Cricketer of the Series.

The family of Late Dr. Popo Akinyanju, a veteran cricketer and one time Chairman of Lagos State Cricket Association donated a trophy and cash prize of $2,000.00 for the Cricketer of the Series.

Dignitaries that attended the spectacular Closing Ceremony included Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, former Minister for Finance of Nigeria, Igwe Alex Nwokedi, former Chairman of Nigeria Cricket Association, Albert Okumagba, Managing Director of BGL Limited, the major sponsor of the tournament, Kwesi Sagoe, President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Dr. Kalada Iruenabere, former Chairman of Nigeria Cricket Federation and Africa Cricket Association, Chris Enahoro, a former chairman of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Garen Siekpe, Rasaki Akinola, Col. Walter Jibunoh (Rtd.), Akintunde Simplice (Veteran Cricketers) and a host of other dignitaries.