Nigeria vs Botswana, ACTC, Today Match Prediction 05 December 2024

NIG vs BO Match Prediction & Analysis

Nigeria lock horns against Botswana in the third match of the Africa Continental T20 Cup 2024 on Wednesday, 4th December. The match is slated to be played at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali City in Rwanda and the scheduled start time is 12:45 PM IST. 

Nigeria, fresh off a six-wicket victory over Rwanda, currently holds the second position on the points table. In contrast, Botswana, after a significant 78-run loss to Uganda, occupies the fifth position with a net run rate of -3.90.

Nigeria dominates the head-to-head record against Botswana, having won both previous T20I encounters, including a 77-run victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifiers. Isaac Danladi, with 117 runs, is Nigeria's leading run-scorer against Botswana in T20Is.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

NIG

W

RWA

138/10 in 15.3 8.9

ACTC

Nigeria beat Rwanda by 6 wickets 04 Dec 2024

NIG

92/4 in 11.4 7.89

BO

L

UGA

164/8 in 20.0 8.2

ACTC

Uganda won by 78 runs 04 Dec 2024

BO

86/10 in 20.0 4.3

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Nigeria Preview

Nigeria narrowly clinched a six-wicket victory over Rwanda in their opening match of the African Continental T20 Cup 2024. The match was reduced to 19 overs per side due to rain.Rwanda, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were bowled out for 138 runs in 19.3 overs. Isaac Okpe (3/28) and Sylvester Okpe (2/26) were the standout bowlers for Nigeria, restricting Rwanda's run flow and momentum. Mohameed Taiwo, Ridwan Abdulkareem, Peter Aho, and Isaac Danladi also contributed with a wicket each.

Nigeria's chase got off to a flying start, with openers Sulaimon Runsewe (20 runs in 14 balls) and Selim Salau (39 runs in 33 balls) adding 40 runs in 4.1 overs for the first wicket. However, Nigeria lost wickets in quick succession, going from 40/1 to 82/4. Captain Sylvester Okpe's quickfire 14-run cameo off 7 balls powered Nigeria to victory with two balls to spare.

Isaac Danladi, with 299 runs and 11 wickets in 11 matches in 2024, is the player to watch in the middle order. He has a particularly strong record against Botswana. Another key player is captain Sylvester Ameh Okpe, who is nearing 300 runs and 50 wickets in T20Is (currently 288 runs and 48 wickets). He could achieve both milestones in this tournament.

Nigeria Predicted Playing XI:

Sulaimon Runsewe (wk), Selim Salau, Olayinka Elijah Olaleye, Isaac Danladi, Sylvester Okpe (c), Isaac Okpe, Miracle Akhigbe, Ridwan Abdulkareem, Mohameed Taiwo, Peter Aho, Ifeanyichukwu Uboh

Nigeria Actual Playing XI:

Olayinka Elijah Olaleye, Isaac Danladi, Isaac Okpe, Prosper Useni, Sylvester Okpe, Selim Salau , Sulaimon Runsewe, Ifeanyichukwu Uboh, Peter Aho, Ridwan Abdulkareem, Taiwo Mohammed

Botswana Preview

Botswana suffered a significant 78-run loss to Uganda in their opening match of the tournament. Despite winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Botswana's bowlers struggled to contain the Ugandan batsmen, led by Alpesh Ramjani. 

Although Botswana briefly gained the upper hand, reducing Uganda to 81/5 in 11 overs, they conceded too many runs to the middle and lower-middle order. Boemo Kgosiemang (2/23) and Thatayaone Tshose (2/53) were the most effective bowlers for Botswana, while Tharindu Perera (1/39), Katlo Piet (1/24), and Mmoloki Mooketsi (1/15) also contributed with wickets.

In their batting innings, Botswana was bowled out for 86 runs. Despite a promising start, scoring 41 runs in 5.1 overs, the middle order failed to deliver. Karabo Motlhanka (17 runs) and Monroux Kasselman (26 runs) were the top scorers.

In their match against Nigeria, Botswana will need to improve their bowling performance, especially in the death overs. Additionally, the middle order will be crucial in providing valuable runs.

Botswana Predicted Playing XI:

Karabo Motlhanka (c), Monroux Kasselman, Valentine Mbazo (wk), Reginald Nehonde, Vinoo Balakrishnan, Tharindu Perera, Thatayaone Tshose, Katlo Piet, Mmoloki Mooketsi, Boemo Kgosiemang, Tumelo Mpatane

Botswana Actual Playing XI:

Karabo Motlhanka, Phemelo Silas, Reginald Nehonde, Tharindu Perera, Thatayaone Tshose, Manroux Kasselman, Valentine Mbazo, Katlo Piet, Mmoloki Mooketsi, Tumelo Mpatane, Boemo Kgosiemang

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Rwanda on Thursday is expected to be around 22°C to 24°C and Sunny periods with a light rain in the afternoon, with 55% precipitation and 65% humidity. The match could be affected by rain, which could result in delays during the match hours. 

NIG vs BO Pitch Report

The surface at Kigali is a balanced track that favors both the batters and bowlers in general, where most of the scores lie in the range of 160-170 runs and are also a winning score. Expect a low-scoring game and the seamers to do most of the damage. In the last two matches played at this venue the average 1st innings score was 151 runs, expect a similar kind of surface where moderate scores will be scored. 

Toss: To Bowl

In the 96 T20 matches played at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Rwanda teams batting first won 40 matches, while the teams batting second won 49 matches. Nigeria has played six matches at this venue and managed to win four matches, out of which three matches have been won while bowling first. We predict the team that wins the toss will opt to bowl first.