Nigeria’s Yellow Greens Set to Open 2025 West Africa Trophy Against Zambia

Nigeria’s senior men’s cricket team, the Yellow Greens, will kick off the 2025 West Africa Trophy against Zambia on Thursday in Abuja. The tournament, now in its second edition, returns to the capital after the inaugural event was held in Lagos in 2023. Nigeria won the first edition unbeaten, clinching an 18-run victory over Rwanda in a thrilling final at Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, with Sierra Leone and Ghana also participating.

For the 2025 edition, Rwanda and Sierra Leone will return, while Zambia replaces Ghana as one of the four competing nations. Following their opening match, Nigeria will take on Sierra Leone on Friday, December 5, and Rwanda on Saturday, December 6. The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with each team facing the others three times before the top two sides advance to the final.

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) promises an exciting showcase of regional cricket talent and competition. “The West Africa Trophy is a premier platform for strengthening cricket ties within Africa while giving teams the chance to test their skills, gain international exposure, and deepen sporting camaraderie,” the federation said, highlighting the expected high level of competition this year.

After missing out on qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup following a seven-wicket defeat to Kenya in the African qualifiers in Zimbabwe, the Yellow Greens will aim to defend their West Africa Trophy title and improve their standing in the ICC rankings. The team sees the tournament as an opportunity to reclaim regional supremacy and build momentum ahead of future international contests.