Nigeria reaffirmed their supremacy in West African cricket on Sunday after successfully defending their African West Africa Trophy title, securing a convincing 40-run victory over Rwanda in the final at the NCF Pitch, Abuja.
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The triumph saw Nigeria replicate the feat achieved at the inaugural edition of the tournament in Lagos in 2023, where they also defeated Rwanda to lift the trophy, further cementing their status as the region’s leading cricket nation.
Coached by former Kenya international Steve Tikolo, the Nigerian side delivered a commanding campaign, recording nine wins from 10 matches across the tournament.
Their only blemish came in the group stage, where Rwanda inflicted a 23-run defeat, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final showdown.
In the decider, Nigeria turned the tables with a disciplined all-round performance, combining tight bowling with sharp fielding to keep Rwanda under constant pressure.
Ndubudem David, Isaac Okpe and Joshua Asia led the bowling attack, each picking up two crucial wickets to break partnerships and prevent Rwanda from building momentum.
Despite a spirited effort from the Rwandan batters, the steady fall of wickets stalled their chase, and they were eventually restricted to 117 for nine, leaving them 40 runs short of the target.
The victory not only sealed back-to-back titles for Nigeria but also highlighted the nation’s growing depth and consistency in cricket.
It further underlined the positive impact of structured development and experienced leadership, as Nigeria continue to strengthen their position as champions of West African cricket.
