Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Greens have finally secured their first win in the U-19 Men’s W’Cup qualifiers, defeating Sierra Leone by a massive 177 runs. This victory comes after three consecutive defeats, which had left their hopes of reaching the 2026 ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup in jeopardy.
The Junior Yellow Greens’ win was nothing short of impressive, with Azeez Warees adding three wickets to Nigeria’s tally as they saw off Sierra Leone for just 69 runs in 29.5 overs. Although this win is a consolation prize, as the team can no longer qualify for the World Cup after losing their first three games against Namibia, Tanzania, and Kenya, it’s a testament to the team’s resilience and determination.
In a related development, Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens have been making waves in the U-19 T20 World Cup Qualifiers, with the team sharpening their skills for a tough battle ahead. The team’s captain, Lucky Piety, had earlier led the charge, scoring Nigeria’s first World Cup six, while Lilian Ude added 19 runs to the team’s tally.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens’ impressive performance is a testament to the growing strength of cricket in Nigeria. As the team’s head coach, Sarah Bakhita, noted, “It felt so good, we knew that it was never in doubt, and making it happen was big”. With the team’s promotion to Division 1 of the African Qualifiers, they have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the World Cup.
The Junior Yellow Greens’ win is a significant milestone for Nigerian cricket, and the team will look to build on this success in the next phase of the qualifiers. As Captain Piety noted, “Our strategy in the Nigeria camp is one game at a time; we have taken one, and there is still more to come”. With their sights set on the World Cup, the Junior Yellow Greens are determined to make a mark in the international arena.
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