With nothing more left to prove in the continent, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata, has charged the junior women’s national team, the Junior Female YellowGreens, to go beyond their sixth finish, which they achieved at the last T20 U-19 World Cup in South Africa.

The 2027 edition of the championship will be hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

The president also challenged the team to keep raising the bar.

Nigeria finished sixth at their previous U-19 World Cup in Malaysia. This time, with experience, preparation and a talented group of players, expectations are naturally higher.

Speaking at the reception held for the girls at the Tafawa Balews Square Crciketb Oval on Monday, Akpata said: “The first time we went, we did not have any experience. We didn’t know what to expect, and we came sixth. So what do we expect this time? We know what to expect; we are better prepared, and we have a group of talented young stars,” he said.

But the president was careful not to burden the players with a predetermined finishing position. His message was simpler—and perhaps more powerful: “Let’s just give it 100 per cent.”

The reception was attended by teammates, friends, members of the NCF board and supporters who gathered to celebrate a team that has once again put Nigerian women’s cricket on the global stage.

But beyond the applause, photographs and celebration, the reception became a moment of recognition, reassurance and renewed ambition.

For the young players, Tanzania was more than a tournament. It was a test of character, unity and belief—and they passed it.

Akpata, who praised the players for setting a new standard while making a commitment that could shape their lives far beyond cricket.

In one of the most significant moments of the reception, the NCF president announced that every member of the team would receive educational support through university.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Cricket Federation, I want to say that you are all on full scholarship until you finish your university education,” he declared.

The announcement was met with excitement from the players and those present.

Akpata explained that the commitment extends beyond immediate rewards, stressing that the Federation wants the players to continue excelling academically while developing as athletes.

“We must also continue to do our best when it comes to schooling… It’s that intelligence, those things you do and, more importantly, the family that separates you from others.”

It was a message that captured the bigger vision behind the success of the Junior Female YellowGreens: build athletes, but also build young women equipped for life beyond the boundary.

Speaking at the event, an elated team captain, Christabel Chukwuonye, said that the journey to Tanzania was equally about leadership and trust.

Reflecting on her appointment as captain, Christabel admitted that the responsibility initially felt enormous. But a message from Head Coach Sarah Bakhita helped redefine what leadership meant.

“My coach just told me… I don’t want you to play your own game. Let the team carry itself. The team will do its own job.” And that became the philosophy of the campaign.

Christabel spoke passionately about her teammates, describing how their commitment transformed the pressure of the tournament into collective purpose.

“Everybody was communicating, everybody was contributing, everybody was putting in their efforts.”

She said that once the team arrived in Tanzania, the players understood that they were no longer simply preparing for the tournament—they were there to make history.

“The bigger picture is out there in Tanzania.” And they delivered.

Christabel also used the occasion to recognise the coaching and support staff who helped the players navigate the demands of international cricket while balancing school, personal responsibilities and the pressure of representing Nigeria.

She singled out Head Coach Sarah Bakhita, alongside Coach Agatha, Coach Theo and the team’s physio Gift Udeh, for creating an environment where the players could focus completely on the task ahead.

“You were able to put us together and ensure that we leave those things first and focus on the game.”