Captain of Nigeria’s men’s cricket team, the Yellow Greens, Suleiman Runsewe, has delivered a blunt assessment of his side’s performance following their 24-run defeat to Rwanda at the 2025 West Africa Trophy, admitting that Nigeria’s batting “fell apart completely.”
READ ALSO: Ndikubwimana Leads Rwanda Past Nigeria: ‘We Executed Perfectly — And My Best Is Still Coming’
Reflecting on the disappointing loss, Runsewe said the team failed to execute their game plan, particularly in key moments when composure was required.
“Everything went wrong with our batting. We didn’t apply ourselves, and we paid for the mistakes,” he said.
Despite the setback, Runsewe struck an optimistic tone, insisting the team will regroup and return stronger when they face Rwanda for the third time on Saturday, in what is expected to be a decisive showdown in the tournament.
“We will respond. We are taking this competition one game at a time, and there is still a lot to play for. The boys know what is at stake,” he added.
Runsewe acknowledged that the team’s batting inconsistencies have been a lingering problem throughout the tournament, but stressed that they are working to correct the issue.
“We need more discipline at the crease. Cricket is about patience and intelligence, not just power. We must improve our decision-making,” he explained.
He praised the bowlers for keeping Nigeria competitive despite the poor batting display, noting that their discipline and accuracy kept the margin manageable.
“Our bowling unit did well. They held their lines and kept us in the contest. But the batters must now step up,” he said.
The captain encouraged his teammates to trust the process and maintain belief as the team continues its campaign.
“We know our potential. We have the talent to bounce back. What matters is how we respond in the next match,” he stated.
Runsewe ended by emphasizing resilience, a quality he believes will define Nigeria’s success moving forward.
“Cricket tests character. This team will show character. We will bounce back against Rwanda,” he concluded.
