Nigeria’s U-19 girls will begin their bid to return to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after a 14-player squad was named for the Africa Division 1 Qualifier, scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 5 in Tanzania, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Junior Female Yellow Greens squad is a blend of players from the team that made history at the 2025 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, where Nigeria finished sixth, and emerging players who have progressed through the national U-17 championships.

Christabel Chukwuonye will captain the team and will be joined by regulars including Shola Adekunle, Anointed Akhigbe, Omosigho Eguakun, wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey, Jessica Bieni, Beauty Oguai and pacer Peace Usen.

Other players in the squad are Favour Effiong, Jennifer Godwin, Glory Idiahi, Chisom Okpe, Praise Onaghise and Inyene Ubong.

Nigeria will battle Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Malawi for the sole qualification ticket to the 2027 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

The TCA Cricket Arena at the University of Dar es Salaam will host the matches, with the eight participating teams competing for the lone qualification spot available from the tournament.

South Africa have already secured one of Africa’s qualification spots after finishing among the top four teams at the previous edition of the World Cup, which India won.

Nigeria are the defending champions of the Africa Division 1 Qualifier after securing qualification for the previous World Cup by finishing above Zimbabwe in the group stage. The final between Nigeria and Zimbabwe was abandoned due to rain.

Kenya and Malawi earned promotion to the Division 1 qualifier after finishing first and second, respectively, at the Division 2 qualifier in Uganda in March.