Nigeria’s U-19 Cricket Team Suffers Another Setback in World Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup have dimmed significantly after a second consecutive defeat in the ongoing qualifiers held in Lagos. The Junior Yellow Greens, as the team is known, suffered a crushing 122-run loss to Tanzania at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, leaving them at the bottom of the table with no points and a negative net run rate. This follows their opening match loss to Namibia, painting a bleak picture for their qualification prospects.
Tanzania opted to bat first after winning the toss, posting a total of 154 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 47.2 overs. Tanzanian captain Laksh Bakrania led the charge with a solid 44 runs off 79 balls, supported by Darpan Jobanputra’s contribution of 32 runs. Despite Nigerian bowler Abdulganiyu Abdullahi’s efforts, claiming three wickets, Tanzania managed a respectable total.
In their chase, Nigeria’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure from the Tanzanian bowlers. They were bowled out for a paltry 32 runs in just 16.1 overs, showcasing a dismal batting performance. Khalidy Amiri Juma was the pick of the Tanzanian bowlers, taking four wickets, while captain Laksh Bakrania, who was also named Player of the Match, chipped in with three wickets for just 11 runs. This devastating loss leaves Nigeria with a mountain to climb in their remaining matches.
Tanzania’s victory propelled them to the top of the table with four points, edging out Kenya and Namibia on net run rate. In the other match of the day, Kenya continued their winning streak, defeating Uganda by seven wickets to also remain unbeaten in the tournament. Uganda, like Nigeria, are yet to register a victory.
The qualifiers, which conclude next Sunday, will determine the single team that advances to the U-19 World Cup, to be co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe in 2026. Nigeria’s aspirations of a second appearance at the prestigious tournament, following their debut in the 2020 edition held in South Africa, are hanging by a thread. They face an uphill battle to turn their fortunes around and secure the coveted qualification spot.
Nigeria’s struggles in the qualifiers highlight the need for significant improvement in their batting department. The team’s inability to post competitive totals and withstand the pressure of chasing targets has been their Achilles heel. While their bowling has shown glimpses of promise, the lack of batting depth has severely hampered their chances. The coaching staff will need to address these issues urgently if they hope to salvage their campaign.
The Junior Yellow Greens will need to regroup quickly and produce a dramatic turnaround in their remaining matches to keep their World Cup dream alive. Their batting needs to show significant improvement, and they must find a way to handle the pressure of high-stakes matches. The upcoming games will be a test of character for the young Nigerian side, and it remains to be seen if they can rise to the challenge and make a comeback. The task ahead is daunting, but not impossible, and only time will tell if Nigeria can pull off a miraculous recovery. Their next match will be crucial in determining if they have any chance of turning their campaign around.
