Nigeria’s U-19 National Team Gear Up For Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

Nigeria’s U-19 National Team Gear Up For Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

By BSN Sports 

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has opened a training camp for the country’s U-19 women’s team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, as preparations begin for the qualifiers for the 2027 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

According to PUNCH Sports Extra, the qualifying tournament is scheduled to take place in Tanzania from September 25 to October 4. Nigeria will compete against Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Malawi for a place at the global event, which will be co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

A total of 21 players have been invited for the first phase of camping, currently underway at the NCF High-Performance Centre in Benin City. The squad is being coached by Kenyan trainer Sarah Bhakita alongside head coach Theophilus Ebidome. Former team captain Blessing Etim is also part of the technical crew, which previously guided the team at the last World Cup in Malaysia.

Nigeria made its debut at the tournament during the 2023 ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia, finishing sixth after progressing to the Super Six stage. Led by captain Lucky Piety, the team exceeded expectations in a challenging group that featured South Africa, New Zealand, and Samoa.

Most of the players currently in camp were identified through the 2025 and 2026 National U-17 Championships, which have become a vital pathway for nurturing young talent into the national setup.

The NCF has outlined a multi-phase preparation plan, with the second phase of camping scheduled to take place in Abuja ahead of final team selection for the qualifiers.

Kenya and Malawi secured their spots in Division 1 after emerging as the top two teams in the Division 2 qualifiers held in Uganda last month. Only the winner of Division 1 will qualify for the World Cup, joining South Africa as Africa’s representatives.

Nigeria earned its place at the previous edition in dramatic fashion, defeating Zimbabwe in October 2024 to claim the continent’s sole ticket to the tournament.