By Dorcas Francis Koji
Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team will begin their campaign for a return to the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup when the Junior Female Yellow Greens compete in the Africa Division 1 Qualifier in Tanzania from August 30 to September 5.
The 14-player squad combines members of the team that represented Nigeria at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia with promising young players who have emerged through the national U-17 championships.
Christabel Chukwuonye has been named captain and will lead a squad that includes experienced campaigners such as Shola Adekunle, Anointed Akhigbe, Omosigho Eguakun, wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey, Jessica Bieni, Beauty Oguai and fast bowler Peace Usen.
The squad is completed by Favour Effiong, Jennifer Godwin, Glory Idiahi, Chisom Okpe, Praise Onaghise and Inyene Ubong.
Nigeria will compete alongside Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, with only one qualification ticket available for the 2027 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.
The matches will be played at the TCA Cricket Arena at the University of Dar es Salaam, where the participating teams will battle for the tournament’s sole qualification slot.
Nigeria head into the qualifier as defending champions of the Africa Division 1 pathway. The country secured its place at the previous U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup after finishing ahead of Zimbabwe in the qualifying competition, although the final between both teams was abandoned because of rain.
At the 2025 World Cup in Malaysia, Nigeria made history with an impressive campaign that saw the team finish sixth, further underlining the progress of women’s cricket in the country.
South Africa have already secured one of Africa’s qualification places for the next edition after finishing among the top four teams at the previous World Cup, which was won by India.
Kenya and Malawi also arrive in Tanzania after earning promotion to the Division 1 qualifier. Both teams finished first and second respectively at the Division 2 tournament held in Uganda in March.
With a blend of World Cup experience and emerging talent, Nigeria will be aiming to maintain their dominance in the African qualification pathway and secure another appearance on the global stage.
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