The Nigerian U19 team to the Pepsi-ICC Cricket World Cup qualifying series Africa Division 2 tournament currently holding in Swaziland has emerged winner with a day to go by defeating host country Swaziland by 150 runs at the Ubombo Country Club pitch. The Nigerian team has thus qualified to participate at the Pepsi-ICC Division 1 tournament scheduled to hold in Namibia from 29th August to 5th September, 2010.

Nigeria batted first and for the first time in the series was bowled out for 193 runs in 45 overs short of the full 50-over complement. Joshua Ayannaike 47, Varun Behani 38 and Sola Anyia contributed significantly towards the total score.

The team started brightly notching up 49 runs in the first 10 overs for the loss of a wicket; moved on to 80 runs for 2 wickets after 20 overs; then 130 for 5 after 30 overs; then 178 for 7 after 40 overs before losing the final wicket on 193.

After lunch, the Swaziland U19 team took to the crease to attempt to surpass the 193 runs; however they were soon in deep trouble at 17 runs for 4 wickets after 9 overs. The situation worsened to 32 runs for the loss of 6 wickets after 17 overs and the team capitulated on 43 runs; thereby conceding victory to Nigeria by 150 runs.

Nigeria’s successful bowlers were the Anyia brothers with elder brother, Benjamin taking 4 wickets for 14 runs in 7 overs while junior brother, Olusola accounted for 3 wickets for only 7 runs in 3 overs.

The latest victory came after previous victories over Gambia(10 wickets); Rwanda(8 wickets) and Mozambique (245 runs).

The tournament ends today with the final matches between Swaziland and Gambia and Mozambique and Rwanda.