Nigeria have done the expected after the unexpected start of their campaign in the ICC U19CWC Africa division 1 qualifiers in Namibia. A new chapter in Nigerian cricket history is written now with the U19 squad achieving the best possible result ever by qualifying for the U19 Cricket World Cup in 2020 in South Africa.
After claiming victories over Namibia, Kenya and Uganda in their first three group rounds, Nigeria U19 remained unbeaten throughout the tournament as they triumphed over both Tanzania and Sierra Leone to claim the lone African qualification spot into the main draw of the U19 CWC.
Nigeria qualify for next year's ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup!
Look how much it means to the players! Isn't cricket great?! pic.twitter.com/hcwxHc61cF
— ICC (@ICC) March 23, 2019
While the win over Tanzania U19 was pretty comfortably achieved, their last match win over Sierra Leone U19 was made tough by themselves as they won a low-scoring affair in a nail-biting finish by 2 wickets margin.
Host’s Namibia did everything they could to challenge Nigeria for the spot and only a defeat to Sierra Leone U19 would have had adverse effects on Nigeria qualifying, but they prevailed. Namibia finished 2nd in the points table after winning 4 out of their 5 matches (their lone defeat coming against Nigeria).
Uganda also finished their campaign on a winning note and finished with 3 wins Jr their 5 matches (defeats were against Nigeria and Namibia). Kenya U19, Tanzania U19 and Sierra Leone U19 finished disappointing campaign’s in the tournament.
