September 20, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Sierra Leone national U-19 cricket team registered a quick and easy win over their Rwanda opponent on the final day of the ICC Africa Division II tournament but failed to qualify for both the Division 1 and the next round of the 2019 World Cup.
In what was described as judgment day in Benoni, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Botswana were all engaged in a neck-to neck contest for the only available qualifying spot after the Ghanaians had earlier on secured one of two spots by winning the tournament title.
The trio nations of Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Botswana all needed a victory in Monday’s showdown with a better run rate to qualify, but it was Botswana who sneaked away with a total of +1.298 Net run rates to join the Ghanaians.
Despite finishing with the same total of 8 points as Botswana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone finished respectively in the pecking order with +1.175 and +1.025.
Sierra Leone battled Rwanda at the Sahara Park Willowmoore ‘B’ field and it was the West African nation who secured a seven wickets victory to register their fourth win in the tournament. Winning the toss, Rwanda chose to bat but they were unable to capitalise, and ended up losing wickets at regular intervals.
In the end, they were bundled out for 91 in 38.3 overs with Tuyizere scoring 43 off 111 balls, hitting two fours. Five Sierra Leonean bowlers – Charles Kargbo secured 2 wickets for 13; George Ngegba 2 for 10; Hassan Kamara 2 for 19; Osman T. Sankoh 2 for 24; and Chernor Bah 2 for 8.
Sierra Leone began its chase in style, and lost just three wickets in pursuit of the 92 runs target for 3 in 12 overs. Ngegba made 29 off 26 balls, and was ably supported by Sankoh, who made 26 off 16, hitting four fours and a six. Nzabarinda, Tuyisenge and Tuyizere took one wicket each for Rwanda.