By IJEOMA OKIGBO

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) says it is ready to host five other nations for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 Men’s World Cup African Qualifier.

The tournament is billed for Lagos, with the matches to be held at the cricket ovals in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and the University of Lagos (Unilag) from March 26 to April 6.

Uyi Akpata, President of the federation, said in a statement on Sunday, that the tournament is about celebrating the growth of the game on the continent.

“Nigeria is thrilled to welcome these talented young cricketers and their supporters to Lagos.

“Our nation is known for its warm hospitality and fascinating cricketing potential, and we are committed to making this qualifier a memorable experience for all.

“This tournament is not just about competition; it’s about celebrating the growth of cricket in Africa and inspiring the next generation of players,” Akpata noted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Tanzania and Sierra Leone will join Nigeria to jostle for the continent’s sole ticket to the 2026 ICC Under 19 Men’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will be hoping to secure the ticket, having achieved same feat in 2019 and competing at the World Cup in South Africa 2020. (NAN)