T20 World Cup: Nigeria beat Uganda, clinch sub-regional Africa qualifier ticket

In a thrilling conclusion to the T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier, Nigeria defeated Uganda, securing their first-ever win against the favoured team in a match held in Abuja. This victory earned Nigeria a coveted ticket to the next stage of the qualifier, sealing their place in history after failing to beat Uganda in 13 previous attempts. The tournament saw Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique and The Gambia participate in a round-robin format at the twin cricket ovals in Abuja.

Nigeria's team, nicknamed the YellowGreens, maintained an unbeaten record throughout the qualifier, topping the table with a perfect 10 points, while Uganda secured the runner-up position with 8 points. Despite the loss, Uganda still secured a spot in the Africa Qualifier, set for October 2027. After the final match, Nigeria's captain, Chima Akachukwu, described the pressure of the game, stating, "There were shivers when defending as the game felt like it was shifting, but I kept talking to the boys."

Reflecting on the upcoming Africa Qualifier, Akachukwu emphasized the team's determination, saying, "We keep fighting for every game, ball by ball until the last ball." The Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF) and its high-performance manager, Stephen Mangongo, praised the players for their hard work, both on and off the field, with a focus on fitness, mental toughness, and skills development.

NCF President, Dr Uyi Akpata, pledged the Federation's continued support for cricket in Nigeria, highlighting the team's success and their commitment to elevating the sport in the country.