Both teams had earned comfortable victories over the other two sides in the qualifying group, Sierra Leone and Gambia, so something had to give in the third match at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos - and it was Ghana who prevailed by seven wickets.

In the day’s earlier match at the same venue, Sierra Leone beat Gambia by eight wickets.

Teams in this International Cricket Council competition are now at the halfway point in the group stage, which is set to continue through to Saturday (April 21) as all meet each other one more time.

Nigeria batted first and set ther opponents a target of 119 for the loss of eight wickets, with Dotun Olatunji top scoring on 46 and captain Chimezie Onwuzulike contributing 33 runs.

David Ankrah did the main damage with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 14 runs.

Ghana reached the total with half an over to spare, totalling 120 for the loss of three wickets.

Simon Ateak top-scored for them, finishing on 50 not out.

In the earlier match, Gambia were all out for 87 after 18.3 overs, with Abu Kamara taking three for 17.

Sierra Leone required just 12.5 overs to surpass that target, with Kamara top-scoring on 26 as they reached 89 for 2.

The top two teams at the end of the Qualifier A series will progress to the African regional final, where they will take on the top two from the Qualifer B and C groups.

The prize will be a spot in the World T20 2020 qualifier, where the teams will take on the winners of the regional finals from Asia, Europe, the Americas and the East Asia and Pacific region.

The main qualifier will take place next year.

Australia are set to host the World T20 from October 15 to November 15 in 2020.

They will be hosting the event for the first time, with 16 teams progressing to the event.

Nine will qualify through the world rankings taken on December 31 this year, with six coming through the qualifying event in 2019.

Australia qualify automatically as the host nation.