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Nigeria edged Zimbabwe by four runs in the final of the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier to book their ticket for the main event next year.
Nigeria completed an unbeaten campaign as they defended their modest 98 in Dar es Salaam, which made them the second team from Africa to be part of the World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal next year. South Africa are the other.
“I actually cried when the game was over because I couldn’t really express what I was feeling,” Nigeria captain Christabel Chukwuonye said. “The next phase is just the beginning and we know it will be tougher. My team has really been the best.
“They listened to the coaches, stayed united, and, even with the pressure in the last over, they were able to hold their nerves. I wouldn’t be here holding this trophy without the support of the coaching crew and my players. I am very grateful to all of them.”
Seventeen-year-old Chukwuonye has already played 40 T20Is and she top-scored with 21 at No. 6 to help Nigeria post 98 for 6 against Zimbabwe in an innings that had three run outs. Usen Peace then removed the Zimbabwe top order single-handedly to dent the chase before her team-mates chipped in to bundle Zimbabwe for 94 with one ball remaining.
This is the second time Nigeria will participate in the Under-19 World Cup after also making the cut in 2025. On that occasion, they had finished with two wins from three completed games while also being part of two washouts. Their biggest achievement in that tournament was taking down New Zealand by defending 65 in a rain-hit match.
Nigeria join USA (Americas), Samoa (East Asia-Pacific) and UAE (Asia) to qualify for next year’s event through the regional qualification paths.
