Abuja, 26 October 2026: Hosts Nigeria and Uganda have qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027 after finishing first and second at Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier C in Abuja.
Nigeria won all five of their matches, and Uganda won four. They join Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, who came through the first two sub-regional qualifiers, to complete the six-team Africa Regional Final on the way to the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup.
One run in it
Both sides had already qualified when they met on the final day with first place at stake, and Nigeria won by one run at the NCF Oval 1.
Put in to bat, Nigeria made 148, with Isaac Danladi scoring 47. Uganda captain Riazat Ali Shah hit 60 off 35 balls, and his side needed six from the last over. They took three singles from the first five balls, leaving three to win from the final delivery.
Nigeria bowler Vincent Adewoye could not finish the over because of injury, so Sylvester Okpe came on to bowl the last ball. Juma Miyagi was run out going for a second run, and Uganda fell one short.
“We are delighted to have won this tournament, especially beating Uganda for the first time in a T20I game,” Nigeria captain Chima Akachukwu said. “It goes to show how far we have come. The boys have been working hard and the coach pushing us to our limits.”
Awards and standings
Danladi was named player of the series for his 223 runs and three catches. His teammate Selim Salau was the best batter with 206 runs, including a century against The Gambia. Uganda’s Enock Kasaija was the best bowler with 11 wickets, and The Gambia’s Bubacarr Kuyateh took the fielding award with five catches.
Zambia finished third, ahead of Mozambique on net run rate. Lesotho were fifth and The Gambia sixth.
