Nigeria’s men’s cricket team, the Yellow Greens, will kick off their West Africa Trophy title defence on Thursday. They face Zambia in the opening match of the 2025 edition. The tournament is held in Abuja.
Tournament Overview and Nigeria’s Momentum
Nigeria won the maiden tournament in October 2023. They remained unbeaten, clinching an 18-run victory over Rwanda in a thrilling final. That match took place at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos. Sierra Leone and Ghana also competed in the debut edition.
Rwanda and Sierra Leone return this year. They will play each other in the second match of the opening day. The Nigerian team aims to regain momentum. They recently missed qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Former Kenyan international Steve Tikolo coaches the squad. He hopes home support will inspire a strong winning streak this year.
Yellow Greens Squad Details
Wicketkeeper Sulaimon Runsewe will captain the Yellow Greens. The tournament concludes on December 14. Key players include Selim Salau, Ali Rahmon, Daniel Ajekun, and Danladi Isaac.
The Okpe brothers, Sylvester and Isaac, are also in the squad. Their international experience will strengthen both batting and bowling units. Other squad members are Vincent Adewoye, Kenneth Boniface, Prosper Useni, Ukasha Ishaku, Elochukwu Ndubudem, Joshua Asia, and Abdullahi Ismail. This blend offers promising talent alongside valuable experience.
Zambia’s Debut in the Competition
Zambia replaces Ghana in this year’s competition. This marks their first official T20 International outing. They recently regained ICC membership. Captain Javid Patel leads the Zambian squad. Key players include Jakir Patel, Lawrence Mutale, Mohammed Asim, and wicketkeeper Benson Chama. The full roster also features Musonda Yambayamba, Shahnawaz Patel, Zoyeb Chand. Additional players are Mohammad Bhaidu, Abbasbhai Patel, Aslam Bera, Ayaz Dadabhai, Salman Patel, and Soyeb Pendi.
Match Schedule and Tournament Format
Following their opening match against Zambia, Nigeria will play Sierra Leone. That game is scheduled for Friday, December 5. They will then conclude their first-round fixtures against Rwanda the next day.
All four teams will compete in a round-robin format. Each team plays the others three times. The top two teams will advance to the final.
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