Nigeria edge South Africa Women’s U-19 in nail-biting encounter

Nigeria edge South Africa Women’s U-19 in nail-biting encounter

• New tournament record of 226 runs set as Zimbabwe’s Women U-19 beats Ghana by 180 runs

Nigeria and South Africa U19 women entered the oval with both teams recording a loss in the tournament already, it was clear that a victory for either team would re-establish belief and confidence going forward. South Africa Women’s U-19 won the toss and elected to bat first.

Nigeria had a dream start when Ashley Bernad was dismissed off the last ball in the first over with South Africa recording no runs. Jeze Campher was the next to depart in 3.4 overs, contributing just 1 run. After 4 overs, South Africa had 2 runs on the board for the loss of 2 wickets.

At the end of the six over power play, South Africa were on 18 runs for the loss of 3 wicket.

Captain Mieke Van Voorst took the game back to Nigeria, unbeaten at 23 runs off 19 balls which helped South Africa to reach 42 runs after 10 overs.

The South Africas grew into the game as Van Voorst played a captain’s innings, scoring 69 runs off 47 balls to get her team to a respectable total of 133 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Siphokuhle Masilela had a late charge of 20 runs off 15 balls, and Jae Leigh Filander with 16 runs off 21 balls as the best batting contribution for Team South Africa Women’s U-19.

Nigeria responded in the second innings with the opening pair of Amusa Kehinde and Christabel Chukuonye starting slowly.

Amusa was dismissed in the 4th over after contributing just 9 runs off 12 balls.

The game continued in like manner till midway into the innings with Nigeria on 47 runs still for the loss of 1 wicket. Christabel on 13 runs off 25 balls and Eguakun Omosigho on 16 runs off 23.

South Africa on the front foot dismissed Eguakun Omosigho for 18 runs off 28 balls to introduce captain Lucky Piety.

Like a leader on a mission, Piety took matters into her hands. She rescued her team from collapse to force a super over after hitting an outstanding 66 runs off 35 balls including a 24 runs over.

Christabel Chukuonye played the night watchman till she was retired out for 26 runs off 43 balls.

Nigeria continued the super over with Piety and Salome.

Nigeria managed just 10 runs in the super over but were able to restrict South Africa Women’s under-19 to 9 runs to emerge victorious in what would be considered as the closest and most entertaining match of the tournament so far. Lucky Piety was named player of the tournament. Nigeria won the Super Over

Zimbabwe U19 team also trounced Ghana by 180 runs to set a new tournament record after accumulating 226 runs in 20 overs. Ghana's response was feeble as Zimbabwe U-19 Women’s made light work of their defense as they restricted Ghana to a meager t45 runs all out in 18.3 overs.