Uganda head to Nigeria seeking tournament victory and a top-two finish to secure progression to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final.
The Cricket Cranes have been challenged to turn their superior ranking into results as they prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja, Nigeria, with head coach Steve Tikolo insisting that Uganda’s ambition goes beyond simply qualifying for the next stage.
Uganda’s 14-man squad, led by captain Riazat Ali Shah and vice-captain Kenneth Waiswa, was officially flagged off at the National Council of Sports (NCS) headquarters in Lugogo, Kampala, on Friday ahead of the October 18–25 tournament.
The team is scheduled to travel to Nigeria on Sunday, with a top-two finish in the six-team competition guaranteeing progression to the Africa Regional Final on the road to the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
National Council of Sports Assistant General Secretary Technical Milton Chebet, Senior Sports Officer Anne Nankya and Cricket Uganda Chief Executive Officer Evelyn Kabongerwa Shinyekwa presided over the flag-off ceremony.
Uganda enter the competition as the highest-ranked team among the participating nations, placing them among the favourites to progress. However, the technical team knows that their ranking must be backed by consistent performances on the field.
The Cricket Cranes made their maiden appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, when the tournament was hosted by the West Indies and the United States, but failed to qualify for the 2026 edition. The Abuja assignment therefore presents an opportunity to reignite their campaign for a return to the global stage.
Head coach Steve Tikolo believes Uganda have assembled a competitive squad capable of delivering the desired results, combining experienced campaigners with emerging players who have impressed during recent assignments.
“We feel these are the best 14 players to go and do the job for us in Abuja. We have a good combination of experienced players and youngsters who have put up their hands whenever they have been selected,” Tikolo said.
The coach explained that performances during recent engagements, including the tour of India and the ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali, played an important role in determining the final squad.
He also emphasised the importance of giving younger players opportunities to compete internationally, noting that such exposure would help strengthen Uganda’s talent pool for future assignments.
Despite the absence of injured all-rounder Dinesh Nakrani and opening bowler Cosmas Kyewuta, Tikolo remains confident in the players available for selection.
“I am confident in the boys going to Abuja. Our target is to go there and win the tournament, not only qualify. We have spoken about that as a team, and everybody understands the goal,” added the 55-year-old tactician.
However, Tikolo warned his players against underestimating their opponents, stressing that success in the T20 format would depend on maintaining high standards in batting, bowling and fielding.
“It is a T20 tournament, and you cannot take anybody lightly. We must cover all our bases in batting, bowling and fielding,” he added.
Riazat Urges Team to Focus on the Basics
Captain Riazat Ali Shah echoed his coach’s confidence in the squad but stressed that discipline, consistency and execution would be critical to Uganda’s chances of winning the competition.
He welcomed the balance between experienced players and younger talent, describing the tournament as an important platform for developing players and preparing them to handle pressure at the international level.
“We have a good combination of players, and we are excited to see the younger players grow, and tournaments like these are important because they learn how to handle pressure and improve through international competition,” Riazat said.
The skipper acknowledged that hosts Nigeria
