Yellow Greens begin W’Africa title defence against Zambia

FILE PHOTO: Nigeria Female Yellow Greens.

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Nigeria’s male senior cricket team, the Yellow Greens, will look to make a perfect start to their West Africa Trophy title defence when they face newcomers Zambia in the opening game of the 2025 tournament in Abuja on Thursday, The PUNCH reports.

The Yellow Greens won the first edition with an unbeaten record, sealing a pulsating 18-run victory over a resilient Rwanda in the final at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos in October 2023. Sierra Leone and Ghana also competed at the inaugural event.

Rwanda and Sierra Leone return for the 2025 edition and will also face off in the second game of the opening day

Having also failed to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup as well, the Yellow Greens, led by Kenyan coach Steve Tikolo, will hope to build momentum with the tournament ahead of 2026.

Wicketkeeper Sulaimon Runsewe will assume the leadership position of the team for the tournament, which runs till December 14.

Joining Runsewe for what promises to be a highly competitive regional showdown are players like Selim Salau, Ali Rahmon, Daniel Ajekun and Danladi Isaac.

Also included are the Okpe brothers — Sylvester and Isaac Okpe — both of whom bring proven international experience to the squad, giving Nigeria balance in both batting and bowling departments.

The squad is rounded out by players like Vincent Adewoye, Kenneth Boniface, Prosper Useni, Ukasha Ishaku, Elochukwu Ndubudem, Joshua Asia and Abdullahi Ismail — a mixture of youth and experience aimed at giving the team breadth and depth.

Zambia, who replaced Ghana in this edition, are in Nigeria for their T20I debut after regaining ICC membership.

Zambia’s squad for the tournament are; captain Javid Patel, Jakir Patel, Lawrence Mutale, Mohammed Asim, Musonda Yambayamba, Shahnawaz Patel, Zoyeb Chand, wicketkeeper Benson Chama, Mohammad Bhaidu (wk), Abbasbhai Patel, Aslam Bera, Ayaz Dadabhai, Salman Patel, and Soyeb Pendi.

After their opening fixture against Zambia, the Yellow Greens will face Sierra Leone on Friday, December 5, and Rwanda the following day.

The four participating countries will meet three times each in a round-robin format before the top two teams advance to the final.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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