Finalists have emerged in both the boys’ and girls’ categories at the 7th PwC-sponsored National U-17 Cricket Championship taking place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The semi-final stage of the competition delivered intense action as young talents from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones battled for places in the grand finale of the championship, organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
In the first semi-final, South East Male produced a dominant display to defeat South South Male by eight wickets, sealing their place in the final with a commanding performance.
The second semi-final saw South West Male overcome North West Male with a six-wicket victory, comfortably chasing down a modest target of 46 runs to secure their win.
The girls’ semi-finals also produced thrilling encounters filled with tension and resilience.
South South Female held their nerve to defend their total against North West Female, clinching a narrow seven-run victory in a nail-biting finish.
In the other match, South East Female successfully chased a target of 44 runs to defeat South West Female by four wickets, booking their place in the championship final.
The 2026 edition of the National U-17 Championship is being held in Abuja from March 10 to March 15, featuring regional champions from the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The tournament serves as Nigeria’s premier age-grade cricket competition and is widely regarded as a key talent pipeline for future national U-19 teams, providing young cricketers with a platform to develop competitive skills and gain exposure.
With the semi-final battles concluded, South East and South South teams in both the boys’ and girls’ categories are set to clash in the grand finals, where the national titles will be decided.
