Nigeria and Rwanda emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the individual awards at the second edition of the West Africa Trophy, with players from both teams claiming top honours following a highly competitive tournament that concluded in Abuja on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
While Nigeria successfully defended their team title, Rwanda’s strong all-round showing was reflected in multiple personal accolades, underlining their growing stature.
Rwanda’s Didier Ndikubwimana was recognised for the Best Moment of the tournament after a decisive leadership performance against Nigeria in the group stage.
Stepping in as captain, Ndikubwimana anchored Rwanda’s innings with a composed 51, guiding his side to a memorable 23-run victory that stood out as one of the defining matches of the competition. It was the only defeat Nigeria suffered during the tournament.
Nigeria’s Danladi Isaac claimed the Best Batter award after a prolific campaign with the bat. The consistent right-hander amassed 324 runs across nine innings, forming the backbone of Nigeria’s batting line-up and playing a key role in their march to a second consecutive West Africa Trophy title.
The Best Bowler award went to Rwanda’s Muhammad Nadir, who impressed throughout the tournament with his control and penetration. Nadir finished with 15 wickets in 10 innings and maintained an economy rate of 4.76, making him one of the most difficult bowlers to score off during the competition.
In the field, Nigeria’s captain and wicket keeper, Sulaimon Runsewe stood out to earn the Best Fielder award. Sulaimon recorded 11 dismissals and one catch in 10 matches, consistently influencing games with his sharp reflexes and safe hands, particularly in pressure situations.
Zambia’s Zoyeb Chand was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in recognition of his outstanding all-round impact. Chand accumulated 45.725 MVP points and was instrumental in leading Zambia to a third-place finish, a significant achievement following the country’s return to competitive cricket.
In the team rankings, Nigeria successfully defended their West Africa Trophy crown with a commanding 40-run victory over Rwanda in the final at the NCF Pitch in Abuja on Sunday. The Yellow Greens had also finished top of the round-robin standings with eight wins from nine matches.
The win mirrored their triumph at the inaugural edition in Lagos in 2023, where they also defeated Rwanda. Zambia secured third place after a 20-run victory over Sierra Leone, rounding off a tournament that showcased the steady growth and competitiveness of cricket in the region.
