Nigeria has earned Africa’s only spot at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Women’s World Cup after winning the Africa Qualifiers held at Gahanga Cricket Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda. Nigeria was declared the winner of the final match against Zimbabwe after the game was washed out during the second inning. Officials awarded Nigeria the victory for remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament and topping its group.
The ICC confirmed the news, stating, “The finals has been washed out at Gahanga 2 Oval, Kigali, and Nigeria qualifies for the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in Malaysia as they topped the group and remained unbeaten.”
Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, praised the team for their dedication. “First, I must thank the players for their boldness and dedication to this project. The board members too have been very supportive, and I will not forget the coaches and the technical team behind them,” he said.
Akpata emphasized the need for early preparation for the 2025 World Cup, seeking broader support. “The World Cup is a bigger task; we need more resources and a robust plan to run a successful campaign. All hands must be on deck, and it starts now,” he added.
Nigeria’s victories included beating Tanzania by four wickets, Zimbabwe by one wicket, and defeating Malawi by 86 runs.
