Nigeria U-19 Girls Cricket Team Aims for World Cup Return

The Nigeria U-19 girls cricket team has announced a 14-player squad to compete in the Africa Division 1 Qualifier for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from August 30 to September 5 in Tanzania. The squad, captained by Christabel Chukwuonye, includes key players such as Shola Adekunle, Anointed Akhigbe, Omosigho Eguakun, wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey, Jessica Bieni, Beauty Oguai, and pacer Peace Usen.

Other squad members are Favour Effiong, Jennifer Godwin, Glory Idiahi, Chisom Okpe, Praise Onaghise, and Inyene Ubong. Nigeria will compete against Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi for a single qualification spot for the 2027 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

The matches will take place at the TCA Cricket Arena at the University of Dar es Salaam. Nigeria is the defending champion of the Africa Division 1 Qualifier, having previously qualified for the World Cup by finishing above Zimbabwe in the group stage, although the final match was abandoned due to rain.