KARACHI: Opener Ryan Rickelton struck a maiden one-day international hundred as South Africa routed Afghanistan by 107 runs in the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Friday.
Rickelton cracked a 106-ball 103 with seven boundaries and a six to anchor South Africa’s imposing total of 315-6 in the Group B match at the National Stadium.
South Africa’s pace attack of Kagiso Rabada (3-36), Wiaan Mulder (2-36) and Lungi Ngidi (2-56) then dismissed highly-fancied Afghanistan for just 208 in 43.3 overs.
South Africa blunted the threat of Afghanistan’s slow bowlers with star leg-spinner Rashid Khan going wicketless for 59 runs in his 10 overs.
Rahmat Shah top-scored for Afghanistan with a fighting 92-ball 90 with nine boundaries and a six before he was the last man out.
Chasing a formidable target, Afghanistan desperately needed a fast start but lost flamboyant openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 10 and Ibrahim Zadran for only 17 by the 10th over.
Sediqullah Atal fell for 16 while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi went without scoring as Afghanistan were left teetering at 50-4.
Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) took the score to 89 before Rabada and Marco Jansen, who got rid of Mohammad Nabi, struck to effectively end Afghanistan’s hopes.
Rashid Khan briefly entertained the crowd with a quickfire 13-ball 18 including a six and three boundaries.
Earlier, Rickelton was ably assisted by skipper Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (52 not out) to steer South Africa to a solid total after they won the toss and batted.
Nabi, who finished with 2-51, provided an early breakthrough with his first ball by dismissing opener Tony de Zorzi, caught at mid-on for 11.
Rickelton and Bavuma then added 129 for the second wicket as Afghanistan toiled in the field.
Bavuma hit five boundaries in his 76-ball knock before he was finally caught off a short Nabi delivery to give some joy to hundreds of Afghan fans in an otherwise sparse crowd.
Rickelton, who has two Test centuries to his name but a previous best of only 91 in ODIs, completed his first white ball century with a single.
Two runs later, however, he was gone, victim of an unlucky run out.
Coming down the pitch to drive Rashid, Rickelton was forced to turn quickly and dive back into his crease as the bowler collected and fired the ball to wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Rickelton appeared to make his ground but replays showed that his bat was slightly raised so not in the crease when Gurbaz whipped off the bails.
Van der Dussen hammered two sixes and three boundaries in his 46-ball knock before falling to spinner Noor Ahmad in the 43rd over.
It was left to Markram to take South Africa past the 300-mark, clubbing six boundaries and a six in a 36-ball 52 not out that helped the Proteas to add 50 runs in the last five overs.
Australia meet England in another Group B clash in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh are in Group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
Rickelton hits century as South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy
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Rickelton hits century as South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy
- Rickelton cracked a 106-ball 103 with seven boundaries and a six to anchor South Africa’s imposing total of 315-6
Osimhen: From Lagos newspaper seller to stardom with Nigeria
- “He is the greatest striker in the world,” says head coach Eric Chelle
- The story of Osimhen is typical of so many African footballers
JOHANNESBURG: Victor Osimhen used to sell newspapers in the crowded, traffic-clogged streets of Lagos: now he creates headlines as a consistent scorer for Nigeria and Galatasaray.
As Nigeria prepare to face Group C rivals Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda during December at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, much is expected from the 26-year-old.
“He is the greatest striker in the world,” says head coach Eric Chelle as the Super Eagles seek a fourth AFCON title and first since 2013.
Nigeria have an abundance of attacking talent and fellow former African player of the year award winner Ademola Lookman is among those who could partner Osimhen.
The story of Osimhen is typical of so many African footballers. It is a classic rags-to-riches tale as seemingly insurmountable odds are overcome to achieve stardom.
Osimhen revealed his childhood difficulties in a series of social media posts, hoping they would inspire Nigerians facing similar adversities.
His earliest memories of life in the Nigerian commercial capital are of dusty streets and the stench from a waste dump.
“I had to sell newspapers and bottles of water to help my family survive,” recalled the star who turns 27 on December 29, the day before Nigeria face Uganda in their final group match.
A stroke of luck changed his life and propelled him on a path that would lead him to be crowned 2023 African player of the year.
A candidate for a place in the national under-17 team for the 2015 World Cup, he initially failed to impress coach Emmanuel Amuneke and was dropped.
But several assistant coaches disagreed with the decision and asked Amuneke to give Osimhen a second chance.
Amuneke, scorer of both goals when Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 in the 1994 AFCON final in Tunisia, heeded their pleas.
Given a second chance, Osimhen went on to score 10 goals in seven matches and play a key role as Nigeria won the tournament in Chile.
- ‘Thanks to Amuneke’ -
Osimhen has never forgotten the role Amuneke played in launching his career, lavishing praise on him during an acceptance speech when voted the bset player in Africa.
“Special thanks goes to Emmanuel Amuneke. Without him I do not think I would be standing here holding one of the most prestigious awards in international football,” he told the audience in Rabat.
Spotted by scouts in Chile, Osimhen moved to Europe, but his scoring skills deserted him when he joined Wolfsburg.
He failed to score in 14 matches and was loaned to Charleroi, where he rediscovered his scoring touch, netting 12 times in 25 matches.
Next stop for the Nigerian was Lille in neighboring France. He spent one season there, averaging a goal every two matches.
Napoli splashed a club record 70 million euros in 2020 to sign Osimhen and he repaid the faith in him by helping the club end in 2023 a three-decade wait for a Serie A title.
Osimhen was hot property and the media linked him with a move to the Saudi Pro League, Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain.
But he went to Istanbul-based Galatasaray instead, first on loan, then permanently. In Turkiye, he has maintained his ability to score frequently.
Osimhen has been an equally prolific goal poacher for Nigeria, scoring 31 in 45 internationals since his 2017 debut, including four in a 2024 AFCON qualifier against Sao Tome e Principe.
In recent months, he bagged a hat-trick against Benin and two against Gabon in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
But the Super Eagles will be notable absentees from the global showpiece next year after losing the African play-offs final against the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in Morocco.
Osimhen was forced to retire injured at half-time against the Congolese, and many Nigerian supporters blamed the loss on his absence.
He is no stranger to injuries and often wears a protective face mask after sustaining a broken cheekbone and eye socket playing for Napoli.
