Lagos, May 31, 2026 Middle-Belt Tigers etched their name into Nigerian cricket history on Saturday after edging Southern Sharks by six runs to claim the first-ever Nigeria Super League title at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos.
The triumph capped an impressive campaign for the Tigers and brought the curtain down on the inaugural edition of the league, which featured 20 matches and highlighted some of the country’s finest cricket talents.
After winning the toss, Middle-Belt Tigers elected to bat first in the 10-over final and made a bright start. Solomon Chilemanya set the tone with a quick-fire 17 runs from just seven deliveries, striking two sixes and a boundary.
Olaleye Elijah steadied the innings with a measured 21 off 14 balls before David Ankrah accelerated the scoring, blasting 22 runs from 10 deliveries, including three sixes. Eghosa Destiny remained unbeaten on 19 as the Tigers posted 104 for five, setting Southern Sharks a target of 105.
Southern Sharks responded positively and stayed within reach of the target for much of the chase. Isesele Evangel led the effort with 26 runs from 21 balls, while captain Isaac Okpe contributed a brisk 15 off seven deliveries.
Kenneth Boniface and Durotoye Gideon also chipped in with useful runs as the contest went down to the closing stages. However, the Tigers held their nerve in the final over, restricting their opponents to 98 for seven to secure the championship.
With the ball, Ndubudem David delivered a standout performance, returning figures of two wickets for 14 runs from his two overs. Awodele Shina also claimed two wickets, while captain Runsewe Sulaimon and Ankrah picked up one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Northern Lions secured third place after defeating Central Eagles by 32 runs in a shortened five-over playoff match.
Batting first, Northern Lions posted 60 for three, thanks to Elijah Jimmy’s explosive 15 runs from five balls and an unbeaten 18 from Akhere Isesele off nine deliveries.
Central Eagles struggled in pursuit as the Lions’ bowlers dominated proceedings. Okasha Isiyaku took two wickets, while Beki Kehinde and captain Okpe Sylvester grabbed two wickets each to help dismiss the Eagles for 28 for seven.
Northern Lions captain Sylvester Okpe expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, describing a third-place finish in the competition’s maiden edition as a notable achievement.
According to him, securing a medal in the inaugural tournament was a rewarding outcome and a positive foundation for future campaigns.
He also commended the quality and competitiveness of the tournament, noting that every team contributed to an exciting contest throughout the competition.
Okpe added that the team would return stronger in future editions with the goal of challenging for the title.
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, lauded the standard of play displayed during the tournament.
He said the debut edition surpassed expectations and reflected the steady growth of cricket across the country.
Akpata noted that the competition aligns with the federation’s objective of strengthening domestic cricket structures and providing more opportunities for players to compete at a high level.
The chairman of the local organising committee, Seun Odeku, also described the tournament as a success, citing positive feedback from players, officials and supporters.
He expressed optimism that future editions would build on the achievements of the maiden tournament.
At the end of the competition, Solomon Chilemanya of Middle-Belt Tigers emerged as Best Batter after amassing 172 runs in eight innings. His teammate, Ndubudem David, was named Best Bowler with 14 wickets in eight innings.
Northern Lions’ Ridwan Kareem received the Best Fielder award for recording six dismissals, while Southern Sharks’ Ismail Abdullahi was recognised as the Outstanding Young Player of the tournament.
The final standings saw Middle-Belt Tigers finish as champions, Southern Sharks settle for second place and Northern Lions complete the podium in third.