NCF Unveils Franchise Squads for Maiden Nigeria Super League

The Nigeria Cricket Federation has officially unveiled the franchise teams, captains, and coaching crews for the maiden edition of the Nigeria Super League scheduled to hold from 16 to 31 May.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, NCF President Uyi Akpata described the competition as a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening domestic cricket and producing future international stars for Nigeria.

According to Akpata, the professionally structured franchise league will serve as a critical pathway linking grassroots cricket development with opportunities at national and international levels.

“The Nigeria Super League is not just another tournament,” Akpata said.

“It is a platform built to inspire the next generation, sharpen elite talent, and position Nigerian cricket for greater international success.”

The NCF boss explained that the league was designed to improve the standard of competition in the country while increasing fan engagement and visibility for the sport nationwide.

He added that the competition would also contribute significantly to improving technical standards and raising the overall competitiveness of Nigerian cricket.

The six franchises unveiled for the historic tournament are Central Eagles, Eastern Elephants, Middle-Belt Tigers, Northern Lions, Southern Sharks, and Western Dolphins.

Akpata revealed that the competition would adopt a round-robin format, with matches scheduled to take place daily in morning and afternoon sessions at the TBS Cricket Oval.

According to him, group-stage fixtures will continue until 27 May before the knockout rounds begin, while the grand finale is slated for 30 May.

The league will be staged under the theme: “One Dream. One League. Endless Opportunities.”

Akpata further assured cricket enthusiasts that all matches would be accessible both physically at the venue and through online streaming platforms to encourage wider participation and support for the sport.

Stakeholders believe the introduction of the Nigeria Super League represents another important step in the federation’s long-term strategy to elevate cricket’s profile in the country and provide local players with regular high-level competition.

The tournament is also expected to offer scouts and national team selectors the opportunity to identify emerging talents capable of representing Nigeria at major international competitions..