Nigeria, Uganda Target T20 World Cup Qualifier Ticket As Captains Warn Against Complacency

Nigeria and Uganda have declared their determination to secure qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as captains of participating teams addressed the media ahead of the Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.

The tournament, scheduled for 20 to 25 October, will feature teams competing for a place in the next stage of the qualification process for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Nigeria captain Akachukwu Chima said his team had intensified preparations through training sessions and a series of competitive matches, expressing confidence that the hosts could win the tournament.

“We have been training hard, working hard and playing a lot of series. The boys are motivated, and our goal is to win it,” Chima said at the pre-tournament press conference.

He added that the support of the coaching staff and Nigerian fans would provide additional motivation for the team.

Chima also identified familiarity with local conditions as an advantage for Nigeria, saying the players had spent considerable time training at the venue.

“We know the ground and the outfield because we have been here for a couple of months. I think that is a big advantage for us because we are playing on home soil,” he said.

Uganda captain Riazat Ali Shah, however, warned that his side would approach every match with the seriousness required, recalling the team’s failure to qualify for the previous World Cup after losing in Zimbabwe.

He described the Abuja tournament as crucial to Uganda’s ambition of reaching the global competition, stressing that the short format left little room for mistakes.

“We missed our last World Cup because of our loss in Zimbabwe, but we are here now, and this is a very important tournament for us to qualify for the World Cup,” Shah said.

“Every game is very important for us as a team. We know how good we are, but we will be playing against strong opponents, and in this short format, every game and every goal is important.”

Shah said Uganda had also prepared for the local conditions after spending time in Nigeria, adding that the coaching staff had worked with the players ahead of the competition.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s home advantage but cautioned against underestimating other participating teams, particularly Zambia, whose cricketing tradition he said demanded respect.

Shah noted that Uganda would need to assess every opponent carefully rather than focus exclusively on the hosts.

Meanwhile, Gambia captain Bubacam Kiyateh thanked Nigeria and the International Cricket Council (ICC) for hosting the competition, expressing confidence in his team’s readiness.

He said cricket in Gambia had continued to develop but insisted that his players were focused on the task ahead.

“The game in Gambia has been strong, but we do not want that to distract us as players. We are ready for this competition, and we are here to compete,” Kiyateh said.

Lesotho captain Tsepiso Chiaoana said his team would combine youth with experience as it seeks to make an impact in Abuja.

He explained that the squad included promising young players who would be given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities alongside more experienced teammates.

“We have a combination of young and experienced players. We have given some youngsters a chance to show what they can do and demonstrate their potential for the future,” Chiaoana said.

“I think they are very talented players, and they can help us in this tournament.”

With Nigeria banking on home advantage, Uganda drawing on lessons from its previous qualification setback, and Gambia and Lesotho seeking to make their mark, the six-day competition is expected to provide a stern test for the participating sides.

The captains’ comments underscored the importance of consistency and discipline in the T20 format, where a single poor performance can undermine a team’s qualification ambitions.