The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has officially unveiled a 14-man Junior Yellow Greens squad for the 2028 ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2, setting the stage for a crucial campaign in Rwanda. The team, captained by Rahmon Ali, will compete from 9 to 15 August against Uganda, Ghana, hosts Rwanda, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone for promotion to Division 1.
Three-phase selection process
According to the NCF, the squad emerged from a rigorous three-phase screening exercise conducted in Abuja and Lagos. The process began with an initial training camp in Abuja, where standout performers from the National U-17 Championship were invited for assessment. The second phase, also held in the capital, saw coaching staff integrate emerging U-17 talents with more experienced members of the country's age-grade cricket programme to evaluate combinations and squad balance.
The final stage in Lagos proved the most demanding, as the technical crew trimmed the group to the final 14 players. The federation emphasized that players were assessed on technical ability, discipline, attitude, and capacity to perform under increasingly competitive conditions.
Squad list and leadership
Captain Rahmon Ali leads a youthful side that includes Ismail Abdullahi, Andrew Abah, Precious Ayeni, Daniel Ayodele, Kenneth Boniface, and Princewill Chigozie. The remaining players are Bright Edem, Peculiar Egemasi, Okasha Isiyaku, Emmanuel Oladejo, Hossana Omokhobhio, Pelumi Orimolade, and Folajimi Owolabi.
The squad, drawn from a nationwide search, reflects the federation's commitment to building depth in youth cricket ahead of the 2028 cycle.
Tournament format and schedule
Nigeria will open their campaign against Uganda on Sunday, 9 August, a match that could prove pivotal in the race for promotion. At the end of the Division 2 qualifiers, the top three teams will advance to Division 1, where they will join Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania in the next stage of qualification for the 2028 ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup.
With six teams battling for just three spots, every match carries significant weight. The NCF technical crew is focused on moulding a balanced squad capable of not only securing promotion but also competing strongly in the next phase.
Coach's long-term vision
Head coach Daniel Gim made it clear that the team's ambitions extend far beyond the Division 2 tournament. "Our aim is to build a robust team with a strong batting line-up that can compete beyond this qualification. The objective isn't just to qualify from Division 2; our ambition is to progress through Division 1 and earn a place at the ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup," Gim said.
As final preparations continue, the Junior Yellow Greens are determined to make a statement in Rwanda and keep Nigeria's hopes of reaching the global stage alive.
