Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup marks a significant milestone in the country’s cricketing journey. This appearance, the second for Nigeria on a global cricketing stage after the men’s U-19 team’s participation in 2019, is the culmination of years of dedicated investment and grassroots development by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF). President of the NCF, Uyi Akpata, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to surpass expectations, highlighting the extensive groundwork laid over the past six to seven years. This dedication to nurturing young talent has earned the NCF global recognition and has positioned Nigeria as a rising force in women’s cricket. The team’s arrival in Malaysia signals not just their presence on the world stage, but also their ambition to make a lasting impact.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens, as the U-19 team is known, entered the tournament with a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned experience. Captained by Lucky Piety, a standout performer from the NCF National U-17 Championships, the 15-player squad represents a carefully cultivated selection of talent identified through various age-grade competitions. Remarkably, seven members of the team have already represented the senior women’s national team, contributing to their historic bronze medal win at the 2023 African Games in Ghana. This blend of emerging talent and international experience provides a solid foundation for the team’s aspirations at the World Cup. The team’s composition reflects the NCF’s long-term vision for sustainable growth in women’s cricket, creating a pathway for young players to progress to the highest levels of the sport.
Nigeria’s journey to the World Cup was marked by a significant victory over Test-playing nation Zimbabwe in the qualifying series held in Rwanda last September. Securing Africa’s sole ticket to the tournament underscored the team’s growing competitiveness and their readiness to challenge established cricketing nations. In the lead-up to the World Cup, the Junior Female Yellow Greens further demonstrated their potential with impressive performances in warm-up matches. They nearly upset World No. 8 Pakistan and recorded a resounding seven-wicket victory over 14th-ranked Scotland. These results served as a clear indication of their capabilities and generated considerable anticipation for their World Cup debut.
Nigeria’s opening match against fellow debutants Samoa was unfortunately abandoned due to a wet outfield at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak, resulting in a points split. This unforeseen circumstance, while disappointing, provided the team with an opportunity to refocus and prepare for their next challenge. The team quickly shifted its attention to the upcoming match against New Zealand, a formidable opponent, with the determination to make a strong statement on the world stage. The match against New Zealand offered a crucial opportunity for the Junior Female Yellow Greens to showcase their skills and tactical prowess against a highly ranked opponent.
The tournament format sees the 16 participating nations divided into four groups. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 6 stage, where they will be further divided into two groups of six. From this stage, the top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals. This structure ensures a highly competitive environment, providing ample opportunities for the teams to test their mettle against some of the best U-19 women’s cricket teams in the world. For Nigeria, navigating through this challenging format represents a significant test, but also a platform to demonstrate their growth and development on the global stage.
The Nigerian team’s presence at the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup symbolizes not only the progress of women’s cricket in Nigeria but also the broader development of the sport across Africa. Their participation is a testament to the NCF’s strategic investments in grassroots programs, talent identification, and player development. The team’s journey to the World Cup, marked by impressive victories and growing confidence, has captured the attention of the cricketing world. As the tournament unfolds, the Junior Female Yellow Greens carry the hopes and aspirations of a nation eager to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. Their performance in Malaysia will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for future generations of Nigerian cricketers and inspire further growth and development of the sport within the country.
