Nigeria Stun Uganda by One Run to Win Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier C

Nigeria’s cricket team secured a dramatic one-run victory over Uganda in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja on Sunday, ending a 13-match losing streak against their opponents in T20 internationals.

The hosts completed a perfect five-match campaign at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1, claiming the sub-regional title and securing qualification for the final stage of the World Cup qualifying series scheduled for next year.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria were bowled out for 148 in 19.4 overs. Isaac Danladi top-scored with 47 off 28 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, while Ali Rahmon contributed 35 from 23 deliveries and Selim Salau added 30 off 24 balls. Uganda’s Joseph Baguma led the bowling effort with four wickets for 21 runs.

Nigeria’s innings lost momentum after a promising start, but the lower order managed to add valuable runs to take the total to 148. The score left Uganda needing 149 to win what became a tense contest.

Uganda’s chase initially appeared well controlled, with Riazat Ali Shah striking 60 off 36 balls, including three fours and five sixes. He shared a 78-run partnership with Olipa Gerald, who scored 18, putting Uganda in a strong position to secure victory.

Nigeria responded through their bowlers, with Sylvester Okpe dismissing both Riazat and Gerald, while Isaac Okpe claimed two wickets, including that of Alpesh Ramjani, who scored 20. Uganda slipped from 108 for four to 117 for six before attempting to rebuild through Ramjani and Cyrus Kakuru.

Heading into the final over, Uganda stood at 143 for seven and needed six runs to win. Vincent Adewoye conceded just four runs from the first five deliveries, while Kakuru was run out for 11, leaving Uganda needing two runs from the final ball to force a tie.

Juma Miyagi was run out after completing one run, leaving Uganda on 147 for nine and handing Nigeria a memorable one-run victory. The result ended Uganda’s dominance in their previous meetings and capped Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition, giving the hosts a major boost ahead of the next stage of the qualification campaign.