President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness to host the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup African Qualifier C, scheduled from November 23 to 28 in Abuja. The tournament will test the country’s cricket infrastructure and event management capabilities as Nigeria’s national team, the Yellow Greens, begins its quest for World Cup qualification.

The competition will feature six African nations—Nigeria, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, St. Helena, and Sierra Leone—battling for two spots in the next round of qualifiers. Matches will take place at the Twin Oval, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Highlighting Nigeria’s rising profile in cricket, Akpata stated, “This is an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s unique cricket culture and organizational strength. Hosting this event will not only advance talent development but also present a new perspective of Nigeria to the global cricket community.”

Currently ranked 36th in the T20 global standings, Nigeria is the highest-ranked team in the competition. The national team, coached by Steve Tikolo, has been in camp in Abuja, with players like Isaac Okpe, Chiemelie Udekwe, and Isaac Danladi bringing valuable international experience from the Zimbabwean National Cricket League.

As the team gears up for the event, Akpata emphasized the dual goals of securing qualification and creating unforgettable experiences for both fans and visitors.