The Nigeria Cricket Federation President Uyi Akpata has challenged Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens to improve on their previous World Cup showing, setting out his expectations for the squad after their qualifying campaign in Tanzania secured a return to the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Akpata addressed the team at a reception organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation to celebrate the qualification, contrasting the squad’s current standing with their sixth-place finish at the previous U19 edition in Malaysia.
‘The first time when we went, we did not have any experience. We didn’t know what to expect, and we came sixth. So what do we expect this time? We know what to expect, we are better prepared, and we have a group of talented young stars,’ he said.
He stopped short of demanding a specific result, instead urging full effort from the players.
‘Let’s just give it 100%,’ Akpata said.
The NCF President also pointed to the team’s qualification as a marker for the wider federation, expressing hope that Nigeria’s U19 boys’ team and senior national sides could follow with qualifications of their own.
‘More importantly, you have set the standard,’ he said.
Akpata used the reception to also announce full scholarships through university for every member of the squad, tying the reward to a wider message about balancing athletic development with academic achievement.
‘On behalf of the Nigerian Cricket Federation, I want to say that you are all on full scholarship until you finish your university education,’ he told the gathering.
‘We must also continue to do our best when it comes to schooling… it’s those intelligence, those things you do and, more importantly, the family that separates you from others,’ he added.
Nigeria secured their place at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup following an unbeaten campaign in Tanzania, sealed by a tense final-over finish in which the team defended a narrow target. Captain Christabel Chukwuonye credited the composure of bowler Anointed and the collective effort of the squad under Head Coach Sarah Bakhita for the result.
Chukwuonye said the coaching staff – Bakhita, Coach Agatha, Coach Theo and team physio Gift Udeh – had created an environment that allowed players to focus solely on the tournament.
The team now turns its attention to preparation for the World Cup, with the NCF pledging improved support structures ahead of the tournament.