Nigeria’s Women’s Cricket National Team, the Female Yellow Greens, have dropped into Division Two following a disappointing campaign at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Namibia.
The team’s hopes of advancing were dashed on Thursday after a narrow seven-run defeat to Kenya in Windhoek in the fifth position classification game.
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The loss confirmed Nigeria’s relegation, ending their stay in Division One after a largely underwhelming tournament where they managed just a single victory.
Nigeria had earlier finished third in their group and failed to progress to the semi-finals.
Instead, they were drawn into the fifth-place classification match against Kenya.
The East Africans, batting first, posted 105 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
Piety Lucky provided a spark for Nigeria with two wickets in her four-over spell.
Chasing 106, Lucky again led the fight with the bat, scoring a resilient 35 runs off 29 balls.
However, Nigeria’s team innings faltered under pressure, with wickets tumbling at key moments.
Kenya’s Melvin Khagoitsa proved decisive, taking four wickets to bowl Nigeria out for 98 runs in 18.5 overs.
The defeat means Nigeria will now battle Sierra Leone—whom they beat in the group stage—in the seventh-place classification match on Saturday.
The Female Yellow Greens had entered the tournament with hopes of finishing in the top two and securing a place in the global qualifiers.
Those ambitions ended earlier in the week following a loss to Zimbabwe.
Nigeria, despite their progress at youth levels where they have featured at U-19 World Cups, are still chasing a historic first appearance at the senior men’s or women’s T20 World Cup.
