By Hosea Parah
Nigeria’s national under-19 women’s cricket team, Junior Female Yellow Greens, continued their impressive start to the 2027 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 1 with a commanding 94-run victory over Malawi in Tanzania on Monday.
After opening their campaign with a four-wicket victory over Uganda, Nigeria produced a far more authoritative performance against Malawi, combining a strong batting display with an outstanding bowling effort to secure their second consecutive victory and book a place in the semi-finals.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens posted 152 for seven in 20 overs after Malawi won the toss and elected to bowl, before Nigeria’s bowlers dismantled the Malawian batting line-up for just 58 in 18.3 overs.
Omosigho Eguakun continued her excellent tournament with another important contribution, scoring 26 off 19 balls, while Beauty Oguai matched the score with 26 off 28 deliveries, including four boundaries.
Captain Christabel Chukwuonye added a rapid 20 off just 12 balls, striking two fours and a six at an impressive strike rate of 166.67.
But it was Shola Adekunle who provided the defining performance of Nigeria’s innings, striking 32 off 27 balls, including five boundaries, to help the side reach the imposing total of 152.
In the second innings, the Junior Female Yellow Greens wasted little time putting Malawi under pressure, with wickets falling regularly.
Adekunle once again played a starring role, this time with the ball, claiming two wickets for just four runs in four overs, including a maiden. Her economy rate of 1.00 was one of the standout figures of the match.
Anointed Akhigbe added two wickets for 10 runs from three overs, while Jennifer Godwin produced the match’s most devastating bowling figures, taking four wickets for just five runs in 2.3 overs.
Godwin’s spell effectively ended any hopes of a Malawi recovery as Nigeria reduced their opponents to 31 for five before the innings collapsed further, with the final wicket falling at 58 in the 19th over.
Sphiwe Frank top-scored for Malawi with 24, while Shavon Akileni made 14, but neither could generate enough momentum to challenge Nigeria’s imposing total.
Adekunle’s all-round contribution ultimately earned her the Player of the Match award.
The back-to-back victories over Uganda and Malawi have given Nigeria four points and put them at the top of Group A with a net run rate of 3.467, ahead of their final group game against hosts Tanzania on Wednesday.
Nigeria will face one of the teams from Group B, comprising Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, in the semi-finals.
The winner of the tournament will join South Africa in representing Africa at the 2027 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.