Nigeria’s national men’s cricket team, the Yellow Greens, is ready to defend their West Africa Trophy title. Their campaign begins on Thursday against Zambia in Abuja. This match marks the opening fixture of the 2025 edition.

The hosts won the inaugural tournament without a single loss. They secured an 18-run victory over Rwanda in a thrilling final. That match took place at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos in October 2023. Sierra Leone and Ghana also participated in the debut competition.

Rwanda and Sierra Leone return for this year’s edition. They will clash in the second match of the opening day.

Quest for Momentum

Nigeria enters this regional contest aiming to regain momentum. The team recently missed out on qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Former Kenyan international Steve Tikolo coaches the squad. He hopes home support will spark a winning streak for the coming year.

Wicketkeeper Sulaimon Runsewe will captain the Yellow Greens. The tournament runs until December 14th. 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 is crucial. It is expected to balance the team’s batting and bowling units.

Other notable squad members are Vincent Adewoye, Kenneth Boniface, and Prosper Useni. Ukasha Ishaku, Elochukwu Ndubudem, Joshua Asia, and Abdullahi Ismail complete the lineup. This roster blends promising new talent with valuable experience.

Zambia’s Return to International Cricket

Zambia replaces Ghana in this year’s tournament. This event marks their first official T20 International outing. Zambia recently regained its ICC membership.

Captain Javid Patel leads the Zambian squad. Other members include Jakir Patel, Lawrence Mutale, and Mohammed Asim. Musonda Yambayamba, Shahnawaz Patel, and Zoyeb Chand are also featured. Wicketkeeper Benson Chama is another key player. Mohammad Bhaidu, Abbasbhai Patel, Aslam Bera, Ayaz Dadabhai, Salman Patel, and Soyeb Pendi round out their team.

Tournament Schedule for the Yellow Greens

After their opening match against Zambia, the Yellow Greens will face Sierra Leone. That game is scheduled for Friday, December 5th. They will then conclude their first round of fixtures against Rwanda. This match takes place the following day.

All four participating teams will play each other three times. This forms a round-robin format. The top two teams will then advance to the final showdown.