Ghana win Gold in ICC Africa Division 2 tourney

GNA – Ghana U-19 national cricket team beat Nigeria to win Gold at the just ended International Cricket Council (ICC) Africa Division 2 tourney in Benoni, South Africa.

Ghana made 28 runs for zero in 4.3 overs in the second innings to outrun Nigeria’s 27 runs for 10 wickets in 15.4 overs to emerge as winners by 10 wickets.

The victory has qualified Ghana for the ICC Africa Division One to be played next year in a yet to be named venue and will serve as qualification for the winner to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2019 in New Zealand.

Ghana who were unbeaten in the tournament opened their descent campaign with a win over Botswana, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Rwanda, and Tanzania before recording a 10 wickets victory in the last game on Saturday to put a seal on the triumph in the seven day tournament.

The lads were motivated by the presence and the words of encouragements from Ghana’s ambassador to South Africa H.E Kwesi Ahwoi ahead of the final game which won the trophy.

Ghana’s Joseph Aboagye was adjudged the Best Bowler of the tournament having bowled 294 balls. Out of six games, he has given away 107 runs taken 21 wickets, made 3 times of 5 wickets in a match in nine maidens with an average of 5.10 and scoring rate of 14.00. His sterling performance also made him emerged as the Most Valuable Player having made 1.08 batting and 71.91 bowling .He joins compatriot Kelvin Marko Awala as the only Ghanaian players selected among the 12 man Dream Team of the tournament with Kelvin Marko Awala placing second on the fielding chart with 5 catches.

The feat chalked by the team led by the Vice President of the Ghana Cricket Association Mr. Kwame Asare, Henry Ackom and the technical handlers has put Ghana on top of its peers in the division.

Efforts by youth cricket academies in Ghana such as Nsoroma Cricket Academy, Turf Cricket Academy, Teshie Cricket Academy and City cricket Club produced the players who have raised the flag of Ghana high.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye who has been monitoring the team’s splendid performance in South Africa is expected to meet the team when they arrive on Tuesday at the Kotoka International Airport.

GNA