Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team, nicknamed the Junior Female Yellow Greens, is embarking on a rigorous three-phase training program in preparation for the 2025 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2, 2025. This marks a significant milestone for Nigerian cricket, representing only the second time a Nigerian team has qualified for a global cricket tournament, following the men’s U-19 team’s participation in the 2019 World Cup in South Africa. The team’s journey to Malaysia began with their successful qualification campaign in September, followed by an initial training camp at the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s high-performance center in Benin City.
The second phase of preparations is currently underway in Lagos, where the team has gathered at the TBS Oval for intensive training sessions. This crucial phase focuses on honing the players’ skills, refining their strategies, and fostering team cohesion before they embark on the final leg of their preparations. The Lagos camp serves as a critical bridging point, allowing the team to consolidate their gains from the first phase and fine-tune their game plan ahead of their departure for India. This structured approach underscores the NCF’s commitment to providing the Junior Female Yellow Greens with the best possible preparation for the challenges that lie ahead in Malaysia.
The final stage of the team’s preparations will take place in India, where they will undergo a 10-day intensive training camp in January. This overseas camp provides an invaluable opportunity for the players to acclimatize to different playing conditions, gain exposure to high-level competition, and refine their strategies against diverse opponents. The choice of India as the final training destination is strategically significant, given the country’s established cricket infrastructure and the high quality of competition available. This experience will be invaluable in preparing the team for the varied challenges they will face during the World Cup.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced a 15-player squad for the tournament, retaining the same lineup that secured qualification in Kigali. Captain Lucky Piety will lead the team, which includes a blend of experienced players and promising young talents. The squad comprises Shola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya, Anointed Aikigbe, Lillian Ude, Christabel Chukwuonye, Kehinde Amusa, wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey, Bieni Jessica, Omosigbo Eguakun, Victory Igbinedion, Naomi Memeh, Beauty Oguai, Inyene Umoh, and the formidable bowler Peace Usen. This consistent squad selection reflects the NCF’s confidence in the team’s existing dynamics and their ability to perform on the world stage.
The Junior Yellow Greens have been drawn into Group C, alongside formidable opponents New Zealand, South Africa, and Samoa. Their campaign commences on January 18, 2025, against Samoa, followed by matches against New Zealand on January 20 and South Africa on January 22. This challenging group stage will test the team’s resilience and provide them with valuable experience against some of the world’s best U-19 teams. Navigating this group successfully will be key to their progression in the tournament. The team will be under the guidance of Kenyan coach Sarah Bakhita, assisted by former Yellow Greens captain Blessing Etim, providing a blend of international expertise and local knowledge.
The 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup marks the second edition of the tournament, with India as the defending champions. The Junior Female Yellow Greens’ participation represents not only a significant achievement for the team but also a crucial step in the development of women’s cricket in Nigeria. Their performance in Malaysia will be closely watched, as they aim to make their mark on the international stage and inspire a new generation of female cricketers in Nigeria. This tournament provides a platform to showcase their talent, gain valuable experience, and contribute to the growth of the sport in their country.
