Nigeria is set to welcome five other African nations—Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone—as they battle for the continent’s sole ticket to the 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s T20 World Cup. The regional qualifier, scheduled to take place from March 26 to April 6, will be hosted in Lagos.
The prestigious tournament will be played across two venues: the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Cricket Oval. Both grounds have been optimised and certified ready for the competition, ensuring a top-level playing environment for the young cricketers.
Nigeria’s U-19 cricket team, the Junior Yellow Greens, will be aiming to secure a return to the World Cup after making history in 2019 when they clinched Africa’s qualification spot and competed at the ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup in South Africa in 2020.
The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, expressed his enthusiasm about hosting the qualifiers, emphasizing the significance of the event for cricket’s development on the continent.
“Nigeria is thrilled to welcome these talented young cricketers and their supporters to Lagos,” Akpata said.
“Our nation is known for its warm hospitality and growing cricketing potential, and we are committed to making this qualifier a memorable experience for all. This tournament is not just about competition; it’s about celebrating the growth of cricket in Africa and inspiring the next generation of players.”
The competition will follow a round-robin format, with all six teams facing each other. At the end of the tournament, the top team will earn the honour of representing Africa at the U-19 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2026.
The tournament will begin with two exciting opening matches on Friday, March 28. Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Namibia at the TBS Oval, while Kenya will battle Sierra Leone at the UNILAG Oval.
With fierce competition expected and Africa’s best young cricketers showcasing their skills, the tournament promises thrilling action and high stakes as each team fights for the coveted World Cup ticket.
