Nigeria’s senior men’s cricket team produced a dominant display on Saturday, defeating Rwanda by 81 runs in their third meeting of the West Africa Trophy tournament in Abuja.

Although both teams had already secured places in the final, the victory ensured Nigeria finished top of the standings with 16 points from nine matches, ahead of Rwanda, who ended the group stage on 12 points.

Playing at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Nigeria won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that paid off handsomely. Selim Salau led the charge with a fluent 76 off 49 balls, while Danladi Isaac provided solid support, scoring 52 from 45 deliveries.

Captain Runsewe Sulaimon also chipped in with 23 runs as Nigeria posted a competitive total of 154 for four wickets from their allotted overs.

“We executed our plan well and kept the pressure throughout,” Sulaimon said after the match.

In response, Rwanda’s chase never really took off. They were bowled out for just 75 runs in 15.1 overs, with Didier Ndikubwimana top-scoring with 30 and Manishimwe Oscar adding 22. Despite their efforts, Rwanda were unable to mount any serious challenge to Nigeria’s total.

Salau was deservedly named Player of the Match as Nigeria sealed an emphatic 81-run win.

Both sides will meet again in Sunday’s final, while Zambia and Sierra Leone will battle for third place in the playoff match.