Nigeria name 14-player squad for 2026 U19 T20 World Cup qualifier

Nigeria have selected a 14-player Junior Female YellowGreens squad for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifier, scheduled for Tanzania from August 30 to September 5, 2026. The team will be seeking another route to the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup after Nigeria qualified for the inaugural edition in 2025.

Christabel Chukwuonye will captain the side, with Shola Adenkule appointed vice-captain. Their leadership will be important as Nigeria face Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi in the qualification tournament.

The squad was finalised after several zonal camp stages, followed by further work in Benin. The technical team used the final assessment period to examine individual displays, combinations and the players’ ability to handle the demands of international T20 cricket.

Omosigho Eguakun, Peace Usen, Anointed Akhigbe, Deborah Bassey, Jessica Bieni, Inyene Ubong, Beauty Oguai, Favour Effiong, Chisom Okpe, Jennifer Godwin, Praise Onaghise and Glory Idiahi complete the group alongside Chukwuonye and Adenkule.

The YellowGreens will continue their preparations in Lagos before travelling to Tanzania. Their remaining camp programme will centre on team combinations, tactical understanding, match readiness and the mental demands of the tournament.

The qualifier represents a major opportunity for Nigeria’s junior women to build on the country’s recent progress. It also gives the selected players a chance to strengthen the pathway towards the senior national team while competing for another place at the global U19 event.

Nigeria’s qualification campaign will carry significance throughout the tournament, with the team facing a field of emerging cricket nations and needing to maintain focus across each fixture. The Junior Female YellowGreens now have their squad confirmed and will use the final preparation period to shape their approach for the Tanzania assignment.