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Hosts Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone by 11 runs to top Group B in a nerve-wrecking game at the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifiers in Abuja.
Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat. Usual suspects Paul Pam and Selim Saliu opened the batting order for Nigeria, putting up an excellent partnership to score a 100 for the team, before Pam was sent to the stands in the 27th over.
Pam’s dismissal was the twick Sierra Leone needed to dismiss the hosts successfully in the next 20 overs, limiting Nigeria to 184 runs, all out in 47.4 overs.
The second innings meant Nigeria needed to defend the score against a strong-willed Sierra Leonean side, with captain John Bangura steering the ship.
Bangura, who played 87 runs, not out in 118 balls, raced the run score for Sierra Leone, before Prosper Useni halted their pace, claiming six wickets in the process.
The visitors scored 173 all out in 41.5 overs.
The loss means they set up a clash against Kenya, winners of Group A on Thursday, while Nigeria will face the runners-up in Group A, Malawi.
Prosper Useni emerged player of the match with bowling statistics of six wickets and 26 runs in 6.5 overs.