Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team, the Junior Yellow Greens, finally tasted victory in the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifiers after enduring three consecutive losses. Their resounding 177-run win against Sierra Leone at the UNILAG Cricket Oval injected a much-needed dose of positivity into their campaign, although their chances of progressing to the 2026 World Cup were already extinguished. The victory showcased the team’s resilience and talent, offering a glimmer of hope for future tournaments.
The Junior Yellow Greens displayed a dominant performance throughout the match, setting a challenging total of 189 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Gafar Kareem led from the front with a solid 41 runs, while Kenneth Boniface and Peculiar Egemasi provided crucial contributions with 47 and 35 runs respectively. Their combined efforts established a competitive score, putting pressure on Sierra Leone to deliver a strong batting performance.
Nigeria’s bowling attack then proved too formidable for Sierra Leone, dismantling their batting line-up with precision and power. Oladejo Emmanuel emerged as the star performer, claiming four crucial wickets and earning the well-deserved Player of the Match accolade. Azeez Warees provided excellent support, adding another three wickets to his tally. Sierra Leone’s innings crumbled under the relentless pressure, concluding at a meager 69 runs, resulting in a comprehensive victory for Nigeria.
Despite the emphatic win, the Junior Yellow Greens’ earlier defeats against Namibia, Tanzania, and Kenya had already sealed their fate, eliminating them from World Cup contention. The victory over Sierra Leone, therefore, served as a consolation, a testament to their fighting spirit and a platform to build upon for future competitions. They will aim to finish their campaign on a high note, seeking another victory against Uganda in their final match.
Meanwhile, Tanzania maintained their dominance in the tournament, securing their fourth consecutive victory by defeating Kenya by 54 runs. This win solidified their position at the top of the standings and placed them firmly on track to claim the sole qualification spot for the World Cup. Their final match against the winless Sierra Leone provides an opportunity to confirm their qualification and complete the tournament undefeated.
The other teams in the tournament, Namibia and Kenya, both share six points following four rounds of matches. They occupy the second and third positions respectively in the points table, their hopes of qualification dependent on Tanzania faltering in their final game. Nigeria and Uganda, both with two points, sit in fourth and fifth place, while Sierra Leone remains at the bottom of the table, yet to register a win. The final matches promise to be decisive, determining which team ultimately progresses to the World Cup.
