Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Greens faced a 10-run loss to Namibia in their opening match of the U-19 World Cup qualifiers. The team, hosting the ICC Africa qualifiers, struggled to maintain momentum despite strong bowling. Key players included Ukasha Isiyaku with five wickets and Rahmon Ali with a notable batting performance. The Junior Yellow Greens next face Tanzania on Sunday.
The Junior Yellow Greens of Nigeria commenced their pursuit for a 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup berth with a disappointing 10-run defeat against Namibia, held at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos. Nigeria is the host nation for the final phase of the ICC Africa qualifiers, with six teams competing for the singular spot available through this tournament.
Namibia’s captain, Francois Du Plessis, won the toss and opted to bat first, prompting Gafar Kareem and his squad to take to the field. Although Nigerian bowlers showed considerable skill, restricting Namibia to just 50 runs after 16 overs, Namibia eventually posted a total of 133 runs all out in 47.5 overs. Ukasha Isiyaku notably dominated the bowling for Nigeria, claiming five wickets for only five runs, supported by Azeez Warees who took three wickets.
Max Heingo was the top performer for Namibia’s batting, scoring 22 runs off 20 balls. In response, Nigeria’s innings began promisingly with Rahmon Ali at the forefront, leading to a rapid accumulation of runs. The team reached 50 runs in just 9.4 overs, but their momentum faltered after Ali was dismissed in the 14th over. He concluded his innings with a commendable score of 53 runs off 46 balls, augmented by four fours and three sixes, yet Nigeria’s total of 123 runs in 40.2 overs fell short of Namibia’s.
The Junior Yellow Greens are scheduled to face Tanzania in their next match on Sunday, while Namibia will compete against Sierra Leone on Saturday at UNILAG cricket oval. In another match on the same opening day, Kenya achieved a remarkable 58-run victory over Sierra Leone, showcasing their dominant performance.
In summary, Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team encountered a challenging start to their World Cup qualification campaign, succumbing to Namibia by a narrow margin. Despite strong individual bowling performances, the team was unable to capitalize during their batting innings, resulting in a disappointing performance. Looking ahead, Nigeria aims to rebound against Tanzania in their next encounter, while Namibia anticipates their upcoming clash with Sierra Leone.
Original Source: punchng.com
