Nigeria’s senior men’s cricket team, the YellowGreens, have recorded their first-ever Twenty20 International (T20I) victory over Uganda, edging their East African rivals by one run in a dramatic last-ball thriller at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
The historic victory, secured on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium cricket venue, capped Nigeria’s unbeaten campaign and reinforced the team’s growing status among Africa’s leading cricket nations.
According to a statement by Zeal Ibe, Media Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), the YellowGreens successfully defended a target of 149 runs, holding Uganda to 147 for nine in 20 overs in a contest that went down to the final delivery.
The result ended Uganda’s longstanding dominance in the men’s T20I rivalry between the two countries and provided Nigeria with a memorable conclusion to their qualifying campaign.
Both teams had already secured qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier before Sunday’s encounter, but the match offered an opportunity to establish supremacy between two of the tournament’s strongest sides.
Nigeria seized the opportunity in dramatic fashion.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the YellowGreens made an aggressive start through openers Isaac Danladi and Selim Salau, who combined for a 68-run partnership from 7.2 overs.
Danladi led the charge, scoring 47 runs off 28 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes, to earn the Player of the Match award.
Salau contributed 30 runs from 24 balls, with four boundaries and a six, before being dismissed by Uganda’s Joseph Baguma.
Baguma proved Uganda’s most effective bowler, taking four wickets for 21 runs in four overs as Nigeria were eventually bowled out for 148 in 19.4 overs.
Ali Rahmon also made a significant contribution, scoring 35 runs off 23 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.
Uganda’s chase suffered an early setback when Nigeria’s Abdullahi Ismail dismissed Raghav Dhawan and Robinson Obuya in the opening overs.
However, Uganda captain Riazat Ali Shah revived his team’s hopes with an aggressive innings of 60 runs from 35 balls, including five sixes and three fours.
Shah’s counterattack put Nigeria under pressure before Sylvester Okpe produced a crucial breakthrough to dismiss the Uganda captain.
Okpe also removed Gerald, finishing with two wickets, while Isaac Okpe claimed two wickets for 18 runs in four overs.
Ismail added two wickets to his tally, while captain Chima Akachukwu also contributed a wicket as Nigeria continued to restrict Uganda’s scoring.
The contest reached its decisive moment in the final over, with Uganda needing eight runs to win.
Nigeria’s Vincent Adewoye was unable to complete the over due to injury, bringing Sylvester Okpe into the spotlight for the closing deliveries.
With Uganda requiring two runs from the final ball to secure victory, the pressure was immense.
However, the visitors managed only one run from the delivery, finishing on 147 for nine and handing Nigeria a historic one-run victory.
The triumph sparked celebrations among the YellowGreens, who demonstrated composure and resilience to overcome one of their toughest continental rivals.
Beyond the victory, the result marked a significant breakthrough for Nigerian cricket, ending Uganda’s historical dominance in their men’s T20I encounters.
The statement said the achievement reflected Nigeria’s progress, discipline and growing confidence as the team continues its pursuit of a place among the continent’s elite cricketing nations.
Danladi, Salau Earn Tournament Honours
Nigeria’s historic victory was complemented by individual recognition for two of the team’s outstanding performers.
Danladi was named Player of the Match following his match-defining 47-run contribution, while his impressive performances throughout the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Salau received the Best Batter of the Tournament award in recognition of his consistency and contribution to Nigeria’s successful campaign.
The honours underscored the strength of Nigeria’s batting lineup and the individual performances that helped the YellowGreens maintain their unbeaten run in the competition.
The final round of matches also produced important results elsewhere, with The Gambia recording their first victory of the tournament and Mozambique defeating Zambia.
However, the major achievement remained the qualification of Nigeria and Uganda for the 2027 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier.
Nigeria finished the Sub-Regional Qualifier C with a perfect 10 points, while Uganda secured second place with eight points.
The unbeaten campaign represents a significant step forward for the YellowGreens as they continue their qualification journey towards the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028.
Playing on home soil in Abuja, Nigeria demonstrated their ability to compete against strong opposition, recover from difficult situations and deliver under pressure.
The victory over Uganda brought their campaign to a memorable conclusion, with qualification secured, individual awards earned and a historic breakthrough achieved against one of their toughest continental rivals.
The YellowGreens will now turn their attention to the 2027 Africa Qualifier, carrying the confidence of an unbeaten team that has demonstrated its ability to compete, endure pressure and make history.
