Nigeria U19 Women have done it again.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens beat Zimbabwe U19 Women by four runs in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2026 final on Saturday to book their place at next year’s World Cup, completing a double over the Southern Africans after denying them qualification for the last edition too.
Captain Annointed Akhigbe led from the front as Nigeria defended 98/6 to bowl Zimbabwe out for 94 in 19.5 overs at the TCA Cricket Arena in Tanzania.
Batting first, Nigeria were made to work for every run by a disciplined Zimbabwe attack.
Beauty Ehimen Oguai top-scored with a gritty 19 off 35 balls. Christabel Chukwuonye injected late momentum with 21 off 19 balls, including 3 fours at a strike rate of 110.52. Jessica Bieni added 15 off 25 and wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey finished unbeaten on 10 off 4 balls with 2 fours.
Zimbabwe’s Christina Mutasa was the pick of the bowlers with 2/11 from 4 overs, including a maiden. Tadiwanashe Garutsa also chipped in with 1/8 from 4.
Nigeria closed on 98/6 from 20 overs.
Chasing 99, Zimbabwe started well but Nigeria’s bowling attack struck at key moments.
Usen Peace was unplayable. The pacer claimed 3/19 from 4 overs, removing Nicolette Nyika for 18, Christina Mutasa for 13, and captain Lorraine Pemhiwa for 0.
Captain Annointed Akhigbe backed her up with 2/15 from 2.5 overs, including the big wicket of Zimbabwe’s top-scorer Salem Museka for 27 off 32. Jennifer Godwin took 2/11 from 3 overs, while Shola Adekunle picked up 1/15.
Zimbabwe fought through Makanaka Zinyama’s 21 off 31 and Salem Museka’s 27, but regular wickets hurt them. They were bowled out for 94 in 19.5 overs.
Christabel Chukwuonye and Deborah Bassey combined for a run out to remove Buhlebenkosi Maphosa for 1, and Chukwuonye also took 2 catches.
The win means Nigeria U19 Women qualify for the 2027 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
It’s a second straight qualification for Nigeria, and a second straight time they have ended Zimbabwe’s campaign at the Africa Qualifier.
From the first ball to the last, the Junior Female Yellow Greens showed composure, fight, and belief. With Akhigbe’s captaincy and a bowling unit led by Peace and Godwin, Nigeria will now turn their attention to the global stage.
