Nigeria’s women’s U-19 cricket team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, are intensifying their preparations ahead of the rescheduled 2025 U-19 T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
The tournament, which will now take place in Kigali, Rwanda, presents a significant challenge as the team will compete in Division 1 of the Africa Qualifiers following a late change in the tournament format.
Originally set to be a smaller event, the competition will now see Nigeria face off against some of the continent’s strongest teams, including Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The matches, scheduled from September 23 to 29, will determine which team secures Africa’s second spot in the World Cup finals in Malaysia.
Head coach Peter Aho expressed confidence in his team’s readiness, highlighting the advantage of the additional preparation time.
“Our girls are focused, and the extra time has been a blessing. We’re ready to take on the challenge,” Aho stated.
Captain Blessing Etim echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s determination to make Nigeria proud on the international stage. “We know what’s at stake, and we’re committed to giving our best,” Etim said.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens have been training rigorously at the High Performance Centre in Benin City, Edo State, with plans to complete their preparations in Lagos before departing for Rwanda.
With high stakes and formidable opponents ahead, the team is poised to showcase their talent and fight for a place in the World Cup, proving they deserve to compete among the world’s best.
