(Co-written by Seun & ChatGPT — the vibes are high, and the quality of cricket is even higher!)
Today was truly a good-vibe day! The tournament finally began, with Nigeria taking on Malawi in the opener at Takashinga Cricket Ground. Nigeria won the toss and chose to field, and the team delivered an outstanding performance. Malawi was bowled out for just 88 runs, and Nigeria chased the target with the loss of only one wicket.
It was a brilliant show of skill in both the bowling and batting departments. The perfectionist in me still feels we could have bowled Malawi out for about 60, and chased the target down without losing a wicket. But I'll take the result. The boys showed great potential and promise, leaving me genuinely excited for the tournament ahead.
After the match, the DJ at Takashinga blasted Burna Boy's “Ye” — apropos for the unrelenting nature of Nigerians, our
persistence in the face of adversity, and our endless desire to win at life. It was a wonderful blend of cricket and
culture.
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More Cricket
Later, we made our way to Harare Sports Club to watch Uganda take on Zimbabwe. It was a fun and thrilling match, and I was joined by my brothers — Femi John?, ?Endurance Ofem, and ?Richson Tetteh? — who had just arrived and jumped straight into the action. The atmosphere was electric, and the batting from both sides was high quality. It also served as a good calibrator for my expectations of the Nigerian team going forward.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of cricket — two grounds, two games, and a lot of hope building up for Sunday's clash
against Namibia.
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Culture & Vibe
It's fascinating to see how Nigerian movies have influenced Zimbabwe. It came up in conversations again and again, and many locals spoke to us in bits of broken English, often calling out: “Oga,” “Igwe,” or “Chief.” At one point, we even joked about bringing some juju for our next match against Namibia.
It's exciting to see how cricket and culture overlap here — and even more exciting to think of Nigeria's broader
influence across Africa. As a cricket dreamer, I secretly wished we could also lead and shape the game across the
continent. For now, though, it seems South Africa still wears that crown.
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Reflections
Harare continues to be wonderful in its own layered, unique way. Traveling, seeing new places, and having fresh experiences seems to refresh the mind and recharge the soul.
As we prepare to face Namibia on Sunday, the realist in me knows it will be tough. But the patriot in me whispers: maybe, just maybe, an upset is brewing. Either way, I hope the game adds another bright memory to this Harare trip. Hopefully the DJ won't be playing “Last Last” by Burna Boy after the game.
until Sunday, when the drama resumes.