Tigers crowned inaugural Nigeria Super League champions

Posted : 04 June 2026

The Middle-Belt Tigers have become the first champions of the Nigeria Super League (NSL), overcoming the Southern Sharks by six runs in a thrilling final at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos.

The historic victory marked the culmination of a highly competitive maiden edition of the tournament, with the Tigers displaying resilience and composure to secure the title in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Tigers posted a competitive total of 104 for 5 in their allotted 10 overs. Solomon Chilemanya provided an explosive start with 17 runs from just seven deliveries, while Olaleye Olayinka Elijah anchored the innings with a well-crafted 21 off 14 balls.

David Ankrah then injected momentum into the innings with a rapid 22 off 10 deliveries, supported by Eghosa Destiny as the Tigers crossed the 100-run mark.

Chasing 105 for victory, the Southern Sharks mounted a determined response. Isesele Evangel led the charge with 26 runs from 21 balls, while captain Isaac Okpe contributed crucial runs to keep his side in contention.

However, the Tigers' bowlers maintained their discipline under pressure. Ndubudem David delivered a match-winning spell of 2 wickets for 14 runs, while Awodele Shina also claimed two wickets to restrict the Sharks to 98 for 7 and seal a memorable triumph.

Despite falling short, the Southern Sharks received plaudits for an impressive campaign that saw them emerge as one of the standout teams of the competition.

Earlier in the day, the Northern Lions secured third place after defeating the Central Eagles by 32 runs in a shortened five-over playoff. Elijah Jimmy and Akhere Isesele starred with the bat, while Okasha Isiyaku and captain Okpe Sylvester spearheaded the bowling attack.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Nigeria Cricket Federation President Uyi Akpata described the tournament as a landmark achievement for the growth of domestic cricket in the country, commending both the quality of competition and the organization of the event.

Local Organizing Committee Chairman Seun Odeku also expressed satisfaction with the success of the maiden edition, noting that it had laid a solid foundation for future editions.

The tournament's individual awards reflected outstanding performances throughout the competition. Solomon Chilemanya was named Best Batter, Ndubudem David claimed the Best Bowler award, Ridwan Kareem emerged as Best Fielder, Ismail Abdullahi was recognized as Outstanding Young Player, while Isaac Danladi received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his exceptional all-round contributions.

This landmark victory establishes the Middle-Belt Tigers as the premier force in the newly formed domestic league. The successful organization of the tournament signals a bright future for cricket development across Nigeria. Moving forward, the federation aims to build on this solid foundation to enhance the competitive standard of the sport nationwide.

Tigers crowned inaugural Nigeria Super League champions

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