A Blossoming Dream: The Rise of Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens

The green and yellow-patched pitches of the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s oval at the Moshood Abiola Stadium hum with the promise of a sport quietly flourishing in Nigeria. Amidst this quiet revolution, one team stands out: the Junior Female Yellow Greens, Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team. Their story of determination and growth has reached a pivotal moment as they  represented Nigeria at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia in style . They are an elite team, becoming  the only the Nigerian cricket team ever to qualify for a World Cup.

 In a country of over 200 million people, where football dominates as the national obsession, other sports often wither under its shadow. This “gilded curse” of singular focus has left many sports struggling for attention and resources. Yet cricket has managed to carve out a space for itself, nurtured by individuals with vision and resolve. At the forefront of this growth is Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation. Akpata’s leadership defies the lethargy often associated with Nigerian sports administration, earning him both admiration and criticism. 

The Junior Female Yellow Greens’ path to the World Cup began at the Africa Qualifier in Kigali, Rwanda. Facing formidable teams like Zimbabwe and Uganda, the squad displayed remarkable discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Over three days of intense competition involving over 200 players from across the continent, Nigeria emerged as Africa’s sole representative for the global stage.

 Led by Captain Lucky Piety, the team’s composure and skill were evident throughout the tournament. Their qualification wasn’t just a win for the team but a triumph for Nigerian cricket, showcasing the fruits of years of investment in grassroots development like the Nigeria Cricket Women’s Championship, the NCF Accelerated Growth program which introduced cricket across schools across the country and increased the awareness of the sports.

The team’s preparation for the World Cup  was meticulous. They participated in warm-up matches designed to hone their skills and provide international exposure. A standout performance against Scotland, where they chased down a target in just 11.3 overs, highlighted their readiness. 

A match against the higher-ranked Pakistan offered valuable lessons, boosting their confidence for the challenges ahead.

The squad of 15 players reflects the growing depth of talent in Nigerian cricket. Notable players include wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey and all-rounder Naomi Memeh, who have been instrumental in the team’s success. Under Captain Lucky Piety’s leadership, the team has grown into a cohesive unit, prepared to compete on the global stage.

Nigeria’s female U-19 cricket team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, became the pride of the nation after pulling off a stunning two-run victory over Test-playing giants New Zealand in their opening match at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. Despite a 41-run (DLS method) defeat to South Africa in their final group-stage match, their historic triumph over New Zealand and shared points against Samoa secured their spot as the second-best team in Group C.

The Junior Yellow Greens then capped off their campaign with another remarkable feat, defeating Ireland by six runs in their final match. That victory not only sealed their impressive World Cup run but also guaranteed their qualification for the 2027 edition of the tournament—an achievement that exceeded all expectations.

Junior Female Yellow Greens with a win against Ireland

This success is a resounding validation of the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s grassroots initiatives under President Uyi Akpata. By nurturing young talent and expanding the sport’s reach, the federation has built a formidable foundation for the future. Akpata’s vision of growing Nigeria’s cricketing community to 25,000 players is well on course, and with milestones like these, Nigerian cricket is proving that its rise on the global stage is only just beginning.