The Nigerian U-19 women’s cricket team, Junior Female Yellow Greens, had their hope of reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 edition in Malaysia dashed on Monday.
The girls will now prioritize securing an automatic qualification spot for the 2027 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
England’s six-wicket victory over New Zealand sealed the final semi-final slot in Super Six Group 2, joining South Africa, India, and Australia in the last four. This result eliminated Nigeria from semi-final contention.
Focus on Qualification
The Junior Female Yellow Greens’ final game of the tournament against Ireland on Wednesday in Bangi is now crucial.
A win would significantly boost their chances of finishing in the top 10 of the ongoing competition, thereby earning an automatic berth in the 2027 edition of the tournament, set to be co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.
Currently, Nigeria is third in Group 2 of the Super Six stage, a position mirrored by Sri Lanka in Group 1.
Ireland, their next opponents, sit at the bottom of Group 2, giving Nigeria a realistic opportunity to secure a victory and strengthen their position.
A Historic Campaign
Nigeria’s debut appearance at the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup has been historic. Despite the challenges of weather and tough opposition, the team has delivered a commendable performance, including a major upset against New Zealand.
Nigeria’s Matches So Far:
Match 1 (Washout): Nigeria vs Samoa – Shared points due to rain.
Match 2 (Victory): Nigeria defeated New Zealand by two runs in a thrilling encounter.
Match 3 (Loss): South Africa beat Nigeria in the final group-stage match.
Super Six Match 1 (Washout): Nigeria vs England – Another washout due to rain.
Despite playing only two out of four possible matches, Nigeria’s win percentage stands at 50%, placing them eighth in the 16-nation tournament.
Team Progress and Support
The Junior Female Yellow Greens have received considerable support throughout their campaign.
Last week, the National Sports Commission (NSC) pledged $5,000 to the team during a visit by the Director General, Bukola Olopade, to Malaysia.
Olopade also made a personal contribution of $1,000 to team captain Piety Lucky for her dedication.
The team’s debut at the global stage has been hailed as a stepping stone for the future of Nigerian cricket, with hopes of building on their historic performance to secure consistent participation at future ICC tournaments.
The Road Ahead
To ensure automatic qualification for the 2027 tournament, Nigeria must defeat Ireland and cement their position among the top 10 teams in the competition.
A victory would also provide the team with a morale boost as they close out their memorable debut campaign on a high note.
