Nigeria to host men’s sub-regional cricket world cup qualification tourney

Nigeria will host the sub-regional African qualifier C for the 2025 men’s T-20 cricket World Cup from November 23 to 28. 

Nigeria’s Yellow-Greens will compete with five other African countries in the tournament at the Cricket Oval of MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

In a statement on Thursday, the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) said that other participating countries are Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Eswatini, St. Helena and Sierra Leone.

The teams will play 15 scheduled matches over a week-long period, which will produce two finalists for the next stage of the World Cup Qualifier.

Isaac Okpe, Chiemelie Udekwe, and Isaac Danladi, who featured in the Zimbabwean National Cricket League, which concluded last month,, have since returned to Nigeria to beef up the Yellow-Greens’ team ahead of the qualifier.

Although the Nigerian men’s cricket team sits 36th in the T-20 global ranking ahead of any teams vying for the sub-regional honour, the NCF says the team is leaving nothing to chance in its preparations for the Abuja event.

Uyi Akpata, President of the federation, said the qualifier would test Nigeria’s facilities and stretch the federation’s personnel and event management competences.

“Hosting the qualifier will allow us to show the visitors a different side of Nigeria through cricket, especially as our players have attracted some global attention in recent times,” Akpata said.

“While we believe we stand a good chance of qualifying to the next stage, our focus is also on delivering beautiful memories to our guests, as well as cricket fans at home and abroad watching the event.”