The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced a 14-man Junior YellowGreens squad for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2, scheduled to hold in Rwanda from August 9 to 15, 2026.
The team, captained by Rahmon Ali, emerged after a rigorous multi-phase selection process that began in Abuja and concluded in Lagos, where players were assessed on technical ability, discipline, attitude and their capacity to perform under pressure.
According to the federation, the exercise started with a training camp in Abuja involving players identified during the National U17 Championship. Head coach Daniel Gim said the opening phase was designed to evaluate the country’s emerging talents and introduce them to the standards expected at the international age-grade level.
He explained that the second phase brought together the promising U17 players and more experienced members of the national age-grade programme, creating healthy competition that raised the quality and intensity of training.
The final camp in Lagos proved decisive, as the technical crew selected the final 14-man squad that will represent Nigeria in Rwanda.
Gim said the coaches were impressed not only by the players’ cricketing ability but also by their attitude, commitment and determination to succeed.
He noted that the players understood the importance of the tournament, describing qualification from Division 2 as the first step towards reaching Division 1 and ultimately securing a place at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The coach added that discipline remained a major focus throughout the camps, with players expected to maintain professionalism, punctuality and accountability both on and off the field.
According to him, the squad responded positively to tactical and technical instructions, demonstrating a willingness to learn and improve.
The technical crew said its objective is to build a balanced team with a strong batting line-up capable of progressing beyond Division 2, earning promotion to Division 1 and eventually qualifying for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The Junior YellowGreens will compete against Uganda, Ghana, hosts Rwanda, Mozambique and Sierra Leone in the qualifying tournament, with promotion to Division 1 at stake.
The 14-man squad comprises Ismail Abdullahi, Andrew Abah, captain Rahmon Ali, Precious Ayeni, Daniel Ayodele, Kenneth Boniface, Princewill Chigozie, Bright Edem, Peculiar Egemasi, Okasha Isiyaku, Emmanuel Oladejo, Hossana Omokhobhio, Pelumi Orimolade and Folajimi Owolabi.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation said preparations have now entered the final phase, with the coaching crew urging the players to remain focused on the guiding principle of “hard work and smart work” as they seek to move closer to a place at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
