President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, believes the upcoming men’s T20 2026 World Cup Qualifier to be hosted by the country from November 23 to 28 will test Nigeria’s facilities, stretching the federation’s personnel and event management capabilities.
Nigeria will host five other African countries in the sub-regional African Qualifier C in Abuja as the country’s men’s cricket team begins its journey to the 2026 T-20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka on home soil.
The Yellow Greens will be joined by Botswana, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, St. Helena, and Sierra Leone for a week-long cricket action that will produce two finalists for the next stage of the World Cup Qualifier.
The twin Oval at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium will host the 15 matches scheduled for the tournament.
“There is no doubt that we are making some advancement in talent development. We are at a point where we need to build competences across different facets of the game. Hosting the qualifiers allows us to show our visitors a different side of Nigeria through the game,” Akpata said.
He added, “Nigeria Cricket has been making a bit of buzz globally, and attention will be on us during the event. I think it is a good thing. And I believe it is our opportunity to show the world our brand of cricket and some bits of what makes us Nigeria.”
The Nigerian Men’s Cricket team is 36th in the T20 global ranking, ahead of any of the teams vying for the sub-regional honour, but the team is still leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the event.
Three of the national team players, Isaac Okpe, Chiemelie Udekwe, and Isaac Danladi, featured in the just concluded Zimbabwean National Cricket League and have since returned to the country to beef up the team’s camp for the qualifier.
Steve Tikolo’s men have been camping in Abuja ahead of the tournament.
“While we believe we stand a good chance of qualifying to the next stage, our focus is also on delivering beautiful memories to our visitors, cricket fans at home and abroad, watching the event,” Akpata added.