Nigeria’s aspirations for a dominant run at the 2024 ILT20 Continent Cup encountered a significant setback on Friday, as they succumbed to a five-wicket defeat against Uganda at the Gahanga Cricket Oval in Rwanda. This loss not only relegated Nigeria to the second position in the tournament standings but also brought an abrupt end to their impressive seven-game winning streak, which stretched back to their successful campaign at the 2026 ICC T20 Africa World Cup qualifiers C in Abuja.
The match began with Nigerian captain Sylvester Okpe opting to bat first after winning the toss. However, the Nigerian batting lineup struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Ugandan bowling attack, managing to post a total of 133 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 10 overs. Wicketkeeper Sulaimon Runsewe and batsman Salau Selim emerged as the top contributors for Nigeria, while Dinesh Nakrani spearheaded the Ugandan bowling effort, claiming four crucial wickets and disrupting the flow of the Nigerian innings.
The second innings of the match was significantly affected by inclement weather, necessitating the intervention of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method to determine a revised target. Uganda was set a revised target of 84 runs to chase in a reduced number of overs. Cosmas Kyewutas led the charge for Uganda with a brisk 24 runs off just 10 balls, propelling his team to victory as they reached 87 runs for the loss of five wickets in 9.4 overs.
With this victory, Uganda ascended to the top of the points table, accumulating six points from three consecutive wins. Nigeria, despite their initial success, now occupies the second position with four points from two wins and one loss in three matches. The tournament format dictates that each of the four participating teams – Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, and Botswana – will play against each other three times in a round-robin format. Following the completion of these round-robin matches, the top two teams will advance to the final, scheduled for the following Saturday, to determine the ultimate champion of the 2024 ILT20 Continent Cup.
Nigeria’s next challenge in the tournament will be against Botswana on Saturday, a crucial encounter that presents an opportunity for them to regain momentum and secure a stronger position in the standings. Concurrently, Uganda will face the host nation, Rwanda, aiming to maintain their unbeaten record and solidify their claim as tournament favorites. The remaining matches in the round-robin stage promise intense competition and strategic battles as each team strives to secure a coveted spot in the final.
The defeat against Uganda served as a stark reminder of the competitive landscape of the tournament and the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. While Nigeria’s winning streak came to an end, their previous successes demonstrate their potential and capability to bounce back strongly. Their match against Botswana becomes a pivotal test of their resilience and adaptability, offering a chance to address the shortcomings exposed in their loss to Uganda and reassert their dominance in the tournament. The road to the final remains open, but Nigeria will need to draw upon their experience and talent to navigate the challenges ahead and secure a place in the title decider.
