Finally, Nigeria’s Yellow Green defeated the Patriots of Sierra Leone by 6 runs.
Akanimo
Following Tuesday’s loss to Sierra Leone at the University of Lagos cricket Oval, Nigerian cricketers, especially former national captain Endurance Ofem, were enraged.
Most Nigerian veterans, like Ofem, feel the ‘Yellow Greens’ will rebound and that the ‘Patriots’ triumph was a fluke because it was the first time the West African team had ever upset Nigeria in a cricket match.
Sierra Leone’s Patriots, led by captain Lansana Lamin, denied Nigeria, who batted first, a high-scoring opportunity on the second day of the bilateral match. Nigeria could only produce 102 runs on the scoreboard.
Sierra Leone’s spinners Solomon Williams and Samuel Conteh made sure Nigeria didn’t rejoice too soon by instilling panic and pressure in their opponents.
The Nigerian side’s weak fielding was exposed once more in the second innings, but former U19 captain Sylvester Okpe’s brilliant bowling aided Nigeria’s tight victory. Nigeria won by 6 runs.
The Patriots of Sierra Leone were eventually reduced to 96 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.
Sylvester Okpe, another of the Okpe brothers, was named the match’s man of the match.
