{
  "id": 2902737,
  "title": "Cricket: Nigeria U-19 girls eye World Cup return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/cricket-nigeria-u-19-girls-eye-world-cup-return-2902737",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T00:40:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/cricket-nigeria-u-19-girls-eye-world-cup-return/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria’s U-19 girls cricket team has selected a 14-player squad to participate in the Africa Division 1 Qualifier, aiming to secure a spot in the 2027 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The team, known as the Junior Female Yellow Greens, consists of players from the 2025 U-19 World Cup-winning squad and new talent who have risen through the national U-17 championships. Christabel Chukwuonye will captain the team, supported by experienced players such as Shola Adekunle, Anointed Akhigbe, Omosigho Eguakun, Deborah Bassey, Jessica Bieni, Beauty Oguai, and pacer Peace Usen. The squad also includes Favour Effiong, Jennifer Godwin, Glory Idiahi, Chisom Okpe, Praise Onaghise, and Inyene Ubong. The teams will compete in Tanzania from August 30 to September 5, with the winner earning the final qualification spot for the 2027 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal. South Africa has already secured a qualification spot after performing well in the previous World Cup, leaving Nigeria as the defending champions of the Africa Division 1 Qualifier.",
  "summary": "Nigeria’s U-19 girls cricket team is set to compete in the Africa Division 1 Qualifier, aiming for a return to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Learn about t Read More: https://punchng.com/cricket-nigeria-u-19-girls-eye-world-cup-return/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Cricket: Nigeria U-19 girls eye World Cup return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/cricket-nigeria-u-19-girls-eye-world-cup-return",
        "published": "2026-08-24T00:34:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}