![Nigeria U-19 Women’s Cricket Team Secures Automatic 2027 World Cup Spot](https://refinedng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-29-at-10.40.58-1.jpeg)
Nigeria’s U-19 Women’s Cricket Team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, closed their ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign on a high note, securing a dramatic six-run victory over Ireland in their final Super Six match on Wednesday morning in Malaysia.
Despite narrowly missing out on the semi-finals, the Nigerian team finished third in Super Six Group 2, an impressive feat for a debutant side. The victory also ensures their automatic qualification for the 2027 U-19 Women’s World Cup, which Bangladesh and Nepal will co-host.
A Hard-Fought Battle Against Ireland
Nigeria’s match against Ireland was nothing short of thrilling. After losing the toss, the team was sent in to bat first, posting a competitive total of 94 runs. The innings got off to a shaky start, with Victory Igbinedion dismissed in the first over, leaving Nigeria struggling at 18/3 within five overs.
However, Christabel Chukwuonye (25 runs) anchored the recovery, with Omosigho Eguakun (17 runs) and late contributions from Peculiar Agboya and Lilian Ude (12 off 11 balls) helping Nigeria reach 94 before being bowled out.
Ireland’s bowling attack, led by Kia McCartney (2/13 in 4 overs), put Nigeria under pressure, but the West African side showed resilience.
Read: Nigeria Drawn Against Tunisia, Uganda & Tanzania in Group C of AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Bowlers Seal the Victory
![Nigeria U-19 Women’s Cricket Team Secures Automatic 2027 World Cup Spot](https://refinedng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FF522C2C-C864-48DC-90A3-56806D25F8AA-720x694.jpeg)
Chasing 95 runs for victory, Ireland got off to a steady start, reaching 30/2 at the end of the powerplay. However, Nigeria’s bowlers kept the pressure on, taking wickets at regular intervals.
Despite a late fightback from Millie Spence and Kia McCartney, Ireland was bowled out for 88 runs, handing Nigeria a thrilling six-run victory.
Key Performers:
- Lilian Ude (Player of the Match): 3 wickets for 11 runs, 12 runs off 11 balls
- Peace Usen: 2 wickets
- Anointed Akhigbe: 2 wickets
- Muhibat Amusa: Claimed the final wicket, sealing the win
The final moments were tense, particularly in the 18th over, when Nigeria’s bowler Muhibat Amusa delivered a wide ball before conceding a boundary. However, with support from teammates, she refocused and bowled Kia McCartney, sending the stumps flying and sparking wild celebrations from the Nigerian team.
Nigeria’s Journey in the 2025 U-19 Cricket World Cup
Nigeria’s impressive debut campaign saw them finish with two wins, one loss, and two abandoned matches due to weather conditions.
Tournament Summary:
- Wins: vs. New Zealand & Ireland
- Losses: vs. Sri Lanka
- Abandoned Matches: vs. England & Pakistan (potentially costing Nigeria a semi-final spot)
- Final Standing: 5th Place Overall
This performance marks a significant milestone for Nigerian cricket, showcasing the sport’s rapid growth in the country.
Read: Google DeepMind AI for Science Scholarships: Fully Funded Opportunities for African Students
What This Means for Nigerian Cricket
![Nigeria U-19 Women’s Cricket Team Secures Automatic 2027 World Cup Spot](https://refinedng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Nigeria-cricket-world-cup-510x340-1.jpg)
The Junior Female Yellow Greens have made history by securing a place in the 2027 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, proving that Nigerian cricket is on the rise.
Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Uyi Akpata, hailed the team’s performance:
“Our goal was to announce Nigeria’s presence to the world, and these girls did just that. This is a reward for our investment in cricket development.”
Head coach Sarah Bhakita, though initially aiming for the semi-finals, praised the team’s determination:
“We wanted to go further, but we leave Malaysia proud of what we’ve achieved. The future is bright for women’s cricket in Nigeria.”
As the team returns home, cricket fans and sports stakeholders will be hoping for continued investments in infrastructure, training, and grassroots development to sustain this momentum.
What’s Next?
With automatic qualification secured for the 2027 U-19 Women’s World Cup, Nigeria will have more time to prepare and build on this success. The team’s performance has already inspired more young girls to take up cricket, and with the right support, Nigeria could soon become a dominant force in African women’s cricket.
Do you think Nigeria can go even further in 2027? Share your thoughts below!