The Champions.
By Akanimo Kufre
Hamza Onai and Captain Laksh Bakrania spectacular performance against Sierra Leone at the University of Lagos Cricket Oval secured a 98-run victory and ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup ticket for Tanzania.
It would be the first time Tanzania, an ICC Associate country, would participate in the World Cup. Namibia and Zimbabwe are billed to cohost the global tournament in 2026. Tanzania defeated five other countries in the mix to emerge Champions.
Tanzania led the pack with 10 points from 5 matches, Namibia followed with 8 points while Kenya is 3rd with 6 points. The bottom 3 are Nigeria, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, who are relegated to Division 2.
Host, Nigeria will play their last game against Uganda on Sunday by 9:30am. at TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos.
The President of Nigeria Cricket Federation NCF, Mr. Uyi Akpata was proud of the Tanzanian team’s performance, expressing his trust that “Tanzania would be Africa’s great ambassadors at the World Cup.”
Tanzania and two ICC Full Member countries, Zimbabwe and South Africa, will fly Africa’s flag at the international cricket competitions in 2026.