- Six teams will compete in Lagos for the ultimate prize of qualification to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- Fifteen matches will be played across two venues over eight days, starting on 28 March 2025.
- Fans can follow the action here.
Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) will play host to, Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda in a round robin format of 15 matches over eight days in a winner-takes-all contest. The winner of the tournament will end their long trek and secure qualification to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 while the bottom three teams will be relegated to Division 2.
Reacting to the tournament being staged in Nigeria, the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata said; “On behalf of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, I warmly welcome you to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier being hosted here in the beautiful city of Lagos.
“It’s a privilege to greet our talented teams from Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda, alongside officials and supporters as we gather at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval and the vibrant University of Lagos Cricket Oval. More than just a competition, this tournament is a celebration of Africa’s cricketing future and Nigeria’s rising role on the global stage. Our Iconic venues, steeped in tradition and buzzing with excitement, are ready to showcase your skill and talent to the world.
“Cricket is thriving across Nigeria and our continent, uniting nations and inspiring our youth and this qualifier, featuring stars from all the participating countries, marks a proud milestone in that journey.”
Mr. Akpata expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Government and the National Sports Commission for all the support extended to the Nigeria Cricket Federation in the course of hosting the tournament, while also thanking all corporate companies and individuals for their backing.
The participating squads are as follows:
Kenya: Yash Gohil (Captain), Prinay Galaiya, Shlok Saini, Neel Doshi, Krishil Patel, Dhir Patel, Anthony Njuguna, James Mwaura, Aditya Vekariya, Stian Smith, RayanKassam, Yuvraj Bhatyani, Saijeeth Chidambaran, Akshith Sekar.
Namibia: Faf Du Plessis (Captain), Adrain Coetzee, Tiaan Van Der Merwe, Luca Micillo, Liam Basson, Erik Lintvelt, Max Heingo, Henry Grant, Ben Brassell, Janko Engelbrecht, Dan Brassell, Rowan Van Vuuren, Junior Taayanda, Waldo Smith
Nigeria: Gafar Kareem (Captain), Hossana Omokhobio, Ali Rahmon, Joseph Onoshagbe, Femi Oresenwo, Kenneth Boniface, Favour Pius, Abdullahi Abdulganiyu, Okasha Isiyaku, Abdullahi Ismail, Emmanuel Oladejo, Wareez Azeez, Peculiar Egamasi, Progress Osagie.
Sierra Leone: Raymond Coker (Captain), Aliya Kamara, George Sesay, Alusine Turay, James Bangura, Ibrahim Sesay, Micheal Kabia, Samuel Humper, Mohamed Turay, David Halloway, Sahr Lebbie, Charles Kamara, Amidu Kamara, Hassan Kanu.
Tanzania: Laksh Snehal Bakrania (Captain), Karim Rashidi Kiseto, Abdulrazak Mohamed Amiri, Omary Koba Ramadhani, Hamza Ally Onai, Augustine Meya Mwamele, Khalidy Amiri Juma, Mohamed Ashfaq Imtiaz, Dylan Manish Thakrar, Ally Hafidhi Ally, Sayan Vijay Jobanputra, Darpan Dipakkumar Jobanputra, Azhaar Amin Premji, Mohamed Simba Mbaki.
Uganda: Gerald Olipa (Captain), Jonathan Nyiiro, Abdulaziz Tandia, Conrad Lubwama, Musa Majid Ramathan, Ali Balidawa, Christopher Kidega, Peter Ocen, Devanshkumar Ritesh Patel, Gurji Vansingh, Robert Owilli, Richard Sohera, Abraiz Mirali, Jordan Kenneth Okecho Othieno.
Match schedule:
Friday, 28 March:
Namibia vs Nigeria at TBS Oval
Kenya vs Sierra Leone at UNILAG Oval
Saturday, 29 March:
Uganda vs Tanzania at TBS Oval
Sierra Leone vs Namibia at UNILAG Oval
Sunday, 30 March:
Tanzania vs Nigeria at TBS Oval
Uganda vs Kenya at UNILAG Oval
Monday 31, March:
Rest Day
Tuesday, 1 April:
Namibia vs Tanzania at TBS Oval
Sierra Leone vs Uganda at UNILAG Oval
Wednesday, 2 April:
Nigeria vs Kenya at TBS Oval
Uganda vs Namibia at UNILAG Oval
Thursday, 3 April:
Kenya vs Tanzania at TBS Oval
Nigeria vs Sierra Leone at UNILAG Oval
Friday, 4 April:
Rest day
Saturday, 5 April:
Namibia vs Kenya at TBS Oval
Tanzania vs Sierra Leone UNILAG Oval
Sunday, 6 April:
Nigeria vs Uganda at TBS Oval
“It’s a privilege to greet our talented teams from Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda, alongside officials and supporters as we gather at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval and the vibrant University of Lagos Cricket Oval. More than just a competition, this tournament is a celebration of Africa’s cricketing future and Nigeria’s rising role on the global stage. Our Iconic venues, steeped in tradition and buzzing with excitement, are ready to showcase your skill and talent to the world.
“Cricket is thriving across Nigeria and our continent, uniting nations and inspiring our youth and this qualifier, featuring stars from all the participating countries, marks a proud milestone in that journey.”
Mr. Akpata expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Government and the National Sports Commission for all the support extended to the Nigeria Cricket Federation in the course of hosting the tournament, while also thanking all corporate companies and individuals for their backing.
The participating squads are as follows:
Kenya: Yash Gohil (Captain), Prinay Galaiya, Shlok Saini, Neel Doshi, Krishil Patel, Dhir Patel, Anthony Njuguna, James Mwaura, Aditya Vekariya, Stian Smith, RayanKassam, Yuvraj Bhatyani, Saijeeth Chidambaran, Akshith Sekar.
Namibia: Faf Du Plessis (Captain), Adrain Coetzee, Tiaan Van Der Merwe, Luca Micillo, Liam Basson, Erik Lintvelt, Max Heingo, Henry Grant, Ben Brassell, Janko Engelbrecht, Dan Brassell, Rowan Van Vuuren, Junior Taayanda, Waldo Smith
Nigeria: Gafar Kareem (Captain), Hossana Omokhobio, Ali Rahmon, Joseph Onoshagbe, Femi Oresenwo, Kenneth Boniface, Favour Pius, Abdullahi Abdulganiyu, Okasha Isiyaku, Abdullahi Ismail, Emmanuel Oladejo, Wareez Azeez, Peculiar Egamasi, Progress Osagie.
Sierra Leone: Raymond Coker (Captain), Aliya Kamara, George Sesay, Alusine Turay, James Bangura, Ibrahim Sesay, Micheal Kabia, Samuel Humper, Mohamed Turay, David Halloway, Sahr Lebbie, Charles Kamara, Amidu Kamara, Hassan Kanu.
Tanzania: Laksh Snehal Bakrania (Captain), Karim Rashidi Kiseto, Abdulrazak Mohamed Amiri, Omary Koba Ramadhani, Hamza Ally Onai, Augustine Meya Mwamele, Khalidy Amiri Juma, Mohamed Ashfaq Imtiaz, Dylan Manish Thakrar, Ally Hafidhi Ally, Sayan Vijay Jobanputra, Darpan Dipakkumar Jobanputra, Azhaar Amin Premji, Mohamed Simba Mbaki.
Uganda: Gerald Olipa (Captain), Jonathan Nyiiro, Abdulaziz Tandia, Conrad Lubwama, Musa Majid Ramathan, Ali Balidawa, Christopher Kidega, Peter Ocen, Devanshkumar Ritesh Patel, Gurji Vansingh, Robert Owilli, Richard Sohera, Abraiz Mirali, Jordan Kenneth Okecho Othieno.
Match schedule:
Friday, 28 March:
Namibia vs Nigeria at TBS Oval
Kenya vs Sierra Leone at UNILAG Oval
Saturday, 29 March:
Uganda vs Tanzania at TBS Oval
Sierra Leone vs Namibia at UNILAG Oval
Sunday, 30 March:
Tanzania vs Nigeria at TBS Oval
Uganda vs Kenya at UNILAG Oval
Monday 31, March:
Rest Day
Tuesday, 1 April:
Namibia vs Tanzania at TBS Oval
Sierra Leone vs Uganda at UNILAG Oval
Wednesday, 2 April:
Nigeria vs Kenya at TBS Oval
Uganda vs Namibia at UNILAG Oval
Thursday, 3 April:
Kenya vs Tanzania at TBS Oval
Nigeria vs Sierra Leone at UNILAG Oval
Friday, 4 April:
Rest day
Saturday, 5 April:
Namibia vs Kenya at TBS Oval
Tanzania vs Sierra Leone UNILAG Oval
Sunday, 6 April:
Nigeria vs Uganda at TBS Oval
BY EDITOR
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