Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Greens kicked off their journey at the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup qualifiers with a thrilling encounter against Namibia at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval in Lagos on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Despite a valiant effort, the Nigerian team narrowly missed securing a victory, falling just three runs short in a nerve-wracking contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Match Summary: Namibia vs. Nigeria

Match: Nigeria U19 vs. Namibia U19

Venue: Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval, Lagos

Date: Friday, March 28, 2025

Toss: Namibia won the toss and elected to bat

Namibia Innings

Total: 133 all out (39.4 overs)

Top Scorer: Wynand du Plessis – 40 runs (77 balls, 4 fours)

Other Key Contributions:

Alexander Volschenk – 18 runs (29 balls, 2 fours)

Thomas van Zyl – 16 runs (30 balls, 2 fours)

Nigeria Bowling Highlights:

Ridwan Kareem: 3 wickets for 28 runs (10 overs)

Gideon Kure: 3 wickets for 29 runs (9.4 overs)

Wilson Egbe: 2 wickets for 22 runs (10 overs)

Nigeria Innings

Total: 130 all out (39.5 overs)

Top Scorer: Ridwan Kareem – 34 runs (67 balls, 2 fours)

Other Key Contributions:

Chiemelie Udekwe – 21 runs (27 balls, 3 fours)

Wilson Egbe – 19 runs (49 balls, 2 fours)

Namibia Bowling Highlights:

Erik Lintvelt: 4 wickets for 23 runs (10 overs) – Player of the Match

Jano Coetzee: 3 wickets for 32 runs (8.5 overs)

Jurgen Linde: 2 wickets for 24 runs (10 overs)

Match Result

Namibia won by 3 runs

The Junior Yellow Greens put up a strong fight, but a late collapse in their batting order saw them fall agonizingly short in their chase of 134 runs.

Player of the Match: Erik Lintvelt

Namibian bowler Erik Lintvelt was instrumental in his team's victory, delivering a match-winning spell with figures of 4 wickets for 23 runs in 10 overs.

His precision and control dismantled Nigeria’s batting lineup at crucial moments, earning him the Player of the Match honor.

Next Match for Nigeria

Opponent: Tanzania U19

Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025

Venue: Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval, Lagos

Looking Ahead

Despite this heartbreaking loss, the Junior Yellow Greens remain firmly in the race for a spot in the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe.

The team will need to regroup, analyze their performance, and prepare for their upcoming fixtures with renewed focus.

With determination and improved execution, Nigeria still has a strong chance to make history and secure their place in the global tournament.