The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata, has emphasized that the upcoming 2025 T20 World Cup Sub-Regional African Qualifier C, set to take place in Abuja, will not only showcase Nigeria’s cricket prowess but also test the country’s facilities.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, Akpata revealed that preparations for the tournament, scheduled from November 23 to November 28, are in full swing as Nigeria gets ready to host five other countries.
“There is no doubt that we are making strides in talent development. We are at a point where we need to build competence across various aspects of the game,” Akpata said. “Nigeria Cricket has been gaining attention globally, and the spotlight will be on us during this event.”
Akpata expressed confidence in the opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s unique brand of cricket, saying, “I think it’s a great opportunity to show the world our style of cricket and highlight some of the elements that make us uniquely Nigerian.”
The NCF president also highlighted the return of three players from the Nigerian Men’s Senior Cricket team—Isaac Okpe, Chiemelie Udekwe, and Isaac Danladi—who recently featured in the Zimbabwean National Cricket League.
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Their return is expected to strengthen the squad as Nigeria prepares for the competition.
“We believe we stand a good chance of qualifying for the next stage, but our focus is also on delivering a memorable experience for our visitors and cricket fans both at home and abroad,” Akpata added.
The tournament will see Nigeria face off against Botswana, Côte D’Ivoire, Eswatini, St. Helena, and Sierra Leone in a week-long series of matches, with two finalists progressing to the next stage of the World Cup Qualifier.