Highly promising teenage cricketer, Peace Usen had another brilliant international outing for Nigeria, as she was the standout player for The Yellow Greens in the opening game at this year’s NCF Women’s Invitational Tournament.
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Sports247 reports that Usen’s name was on all lips as the fifth edition began in the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) organized competition that is also known as the Patricia Kambarami Cup, with an impressive performance by the hosts.
The Yellow Greens opened their campaign with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe’s women’s under-19 team, against whom Usen delivered a standout performance, claiming three wickets for just 16 runs.
After Zimbabwe elected to bat, Nigeria’s bowlers quickly took control of the game’s proceedings, as Anointed Akhigbe struck early, and the visitors from Harare were bowled out for 80 in 16.5 overs.
The Nigerians chased down the target with ease, reaching 81/2 in 11.2 overs, as their captain, Lucky Piety led from the front, with 32 runs for Uwase Merveille plus great effort by Salome Sunday and Amusa Kehinde marshalling victory.
Usen was named Player of the Match for her decisive spell, as the young batter scored 111 off 65 balls on her most entertaining outing, becoming the youngest player to record a century in women’s T20 internationals.
Sports247 recalls that Usen, who turned 16, four days before making her debut for Nigeria against Tanzania at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, was a mere observer at that year’s Women’s T20i invitational tournament in Lagos.
She then made her first big impression with four wickets in her second T20i game, as Nigeria upset Namibia by 55 runs, and the lass from Akwa Ibom State, who grew up in Benin City, has not looked back since then.
“I schooled at Benin Technical College, where I first met (Peter Guobadia). He was not just a coach to me; he was a mentor. If not for him, only God knows where I would have been. I still give him that honour and gratitude even after his death,” Usen recounted.
