The ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup Africa Qualifier starts in Lagos, featuring teams competing for a single World Cup spot. Namibia arrives first, followed by Nigeria and other teams before matches begin on March 28. Training sessions are scheduled for March 27, with key officials present to oversee the event.
The ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup Africa Qualifier is poised to begin in Lagos on Friday. Teams are preparing for a fierce competition to secure the sole African ticket to the World Cup. Namibia is the first to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, joined by host nation Nigeria, followed by Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sierra Leone on Wednesday.
Scheduled from March 28 to April 6, 2025, the tournament will take place at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval and the University of Lagos Cricket Oval in Akoka. Each participating team will engage in training sessions on the pitches on March 27 in preparation for the official opening on March 28.
The first matches feature host nation Nigeria against Namibia at 9:30 am at the Tafawa Balewa Square Oval, while Sierra Leone will face Kenya at the University of Lagos Cricket Oval on the same day. Officials from the International Cricket Council have already arrived in Nigeria to ensure smooth proceedings at this significant qualifier.
Emeka Igwilo, the tournament coordinator, highlighted Nigeria’s role as the host, stating the importance of this opportunity for the nation. He expressed that it reflects the growth of cricket in Nigeria, emphasizing, “This is another opportunity for Nigeria to show how broad the game is growing.” He further noted the need for developments in talent, administration, facilities, and community engagement during this prominent event.
In conclusion, the ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup Africa Qualifier is set to take place in Lagos with participating teams arriving shortly. The tournament promises to showcase both sportsmanship and the organizational capabilities of Nigeria as the host. With preparations in full swing, anticipation builds for the opening matches and Nigeria’s readiness to host this vital qualifier.
Original Source: punchng.com
