Joao Hou
Jose Bulele
Gomes Gomes
Farruque Nhaduate
Lourenco Salomone
Vieira Tembo
Sylvester Okpe
Mohameed Taiwo
Abdullahi Ismail
Elochukwu Ndubudem
Peter Aho
Selim Salau
Ali Rahmon
Miracle Akhigbe✱
Ridwan Abdul Kareem✱
Lourenco Simango
Charles Mbebe
Camate Roposo
Mohammed Ali Rahmon's 41-run blitz turned the tide as Nigeria chased down a modest 94 with six balls to spare, sealing a 7‑wicket victory over Mozambique at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1 in Abuja on Friday, 23 October.
Match Summary
The toss saw Mozambique win the toss and elect to bat under cloudy skies with a humidity of 53% and a temperature hovering around 28.8 °C. The hosts were given a short chase after a low‑scoring first innings. Mozambique managed only 93 for 10 in 19.4 overs, with João Hou the lone bright spot, scoring 35 off 31 balls. Nigeria's reply was swift and decisive – 94 for 3 in just 8.2 overs. Selim Salau exploded with 21 off 9 balls, while Miracle Akhigbe added 20 off 14, and the standout performance came from Ali Rahmon, who smashed 41 runs from 24 deliveries, anchoring the chase.
Key Performances
Ali Rahmon (Nigeria) – 41 runs off 24 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). His aggressive approach kept the required run rate well below 10, allowing Nigeria to finish the chase in under nine overs.
Selim Salau (Nigeria) – 21 runs off 9 balls (2 fours, 1 six). A quick cameo that set the platform for Rahmon’s masterclass.
Miracle Akhigbe (Nigeria) – 20 runs off 14 balls (2 fours, 1 six). Provided valuable momentum after the early wickets fell.
João Hou (Mozambique) – 35 runs off 31 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes). The only resistance in a collapsing Mozambican line‑up.
Lourenco Simango (Nigeria) – 1/21 in 2 overs. Though expensive, his early breakthroughs helped keep Mozambique under 100.
Turning Points
The match hinged on three crucial moments. First, Mozambique’s early loss of wickets left them at 30/4 in the powerplay, limiting any chance of posting a competitive total. Second, João Hou’s partnership with a lower‑order batsman added a vital 30 runs, pushing the score just past the 50‑run mark, but it was insufficient. Finally, Nigeria’s explosive start, highlighted by Salau’s 21 off 9, forced Mozambique into a defensive field, and Rahmon’s subsequent onslaught sealed the win.
Series Implications
This victory propels Nigeria to the top of Group C in the Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C 2026, giving them a crucial boost in net run rate. Mozambique, now needing to win their remaining games, faces a steep climb to stay in contention for the next qualifying round. The win also cements Nigeria’s batting depth, suggesting they could be dark horses as the qualifier progresses.
Fans searching for the "Mozambique vs Nigeria T20I Frid" will find that Nigeria’s clinical chase, powered by Rahmon’s 41, was the defining narrative of the day. The match also contributed to trending searches such as "Mozambique T20I score", "Nigeria cricket today", and "Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C 2026 live score".