Nigeria vs Sierra Leone, 7th Match

As Nigeria and Sierra Leone gear up for their 7th match in the West Africa Trophy 2025 at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1, both teams are looking to assert dominance in this regional T20 competition. Nigeria has shown consistent form throughout the tournament with a strong batting lineup and penetrative bowling options. Their recent outings highlight the prowess of their middle order and the ability to defend totals under pressure. Sierra Leone, on the other hand, has been competitive but less consistent, relying heavily on individual brilliance rather than collective stability. Historically, Nigeria holds a psychological edge over Sierra Leone with the majority of head-to-head victories, often leveraging their home conditions effectively. Key player performances from Nigeria's all-rounders and opening batsmen have provided solid platforms, while Sierra Leone's pace attack and a standout middle-order batsman have kept them in contests. Nigeria is likely to opt for aggressive batting early on, capitalizing on powerplay overs, whereas Sierra Leone may focus on tight bowling and selective hitting aiming to control the run flow. With the familiarity of the pitch and crowd advantage, Nigeria has a slight upper hand, but Sierra Leone's unpredictability can never be underestimated.

AI suggested match winner
Nigeria: 58%, Sierra Leone: 42%

Considering the pitch at Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1, which typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, the first innings total is expected to be competitive but not excessively high. If Nigeria bats first, their well-rounded batting depth could see them posting around 165-175 runs, utilizing power hitters in the middle overs and capitalizing on any loose deliveries. Conversely, Sierra Leone batting first might manage a slightly lower total in the region of 150-160 runs due to less depth in batting, but with key players capable of accelerating in the death overs. The pitch is expected to remain stable without significant deterioration during the match, so teams batting second will have a fair opportunity to chase moderate totals.

The pitch at Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1 is characterized by a true bounce and consistent pace, favoring stroke players but also aiding pace bowlers with early movement. Historically, the average first-innings score at this ground is around 160 runs in T20 matches, with teams batting second having a success rate of approximately 47%, indicating a fairly balanced surface. The weather forecast for match day predicts clear skies with minimal chance of rain and temperatures around 30°C, providing ideal conditions for cricket. The best bowler here in recent fixtures between these two teams is Chidi Eze of Nigeria, who has taken multiple key wickets, while the top batsman has been Mohamed Kanneh from Sierra Leone, known for his quick scoring. Chidi Eze also holds the best bowling figures of 4/20 in a previous encounter on this ground, underscoring his ability to dominate this venue.

Matches Played	Nigeria Wins	Sierra Leone Wins
8	5	3

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Nigeria	W, W, L, W, W
Sierra Leone	L, W, L, L, W

Sesan Adekunle (Nigeria): Recent matches show Adekunle's explosive starts with the bat, often giving Nigeria fast momentum during the powerplay overs.

Chidi Eze (Nigeria): A standout bowler, Eze has been pivotal with early breakthroughs and death over wicket-taking ability.

Mohamed Kanneh (Sierra Leone): Kanneh has exhibited solid middle-order batting form, capable of accelerating the innings when needed.

John Kamara (Sierra Leone): Kamara’s pace and control with the new ball have troubled batsmen, showing improvements during recent fixtures.

Samuel Ibeh (Nigeria): An all-round asset, Ibeh provides flexibility with both bat and ball, often swinging matches in Nigeria’s favor.