Cricket Cranes head coach Steve Tikolo has challenged his players to target victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja, Nigeria, insisting that qualification alone is not enough.

Uganda, the highest-ranked side among the six participating teams, will compete in the October 18–25 tournament with the immediate objective of securing a top-two finish to advance to the Africa Regional Final on the road to the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“We are going to Abuja to win the tournament, not only qualify. We have spoken about that as a team, and everybody understands the goal,” Tikolo said.

The 55-year-old made the remarks on Friday at the National Council of Sports (NCS) headquarters in Kampala, where a 14-man squad was flagged off ahead of its departure on Sunday.

NCS Assistant General Secretary Technical Milton Chebet, Senior Sports Officer Anne Nankya and Cricket Uganda CEO Evelyn Kabongerwa Shinyekwa presided over the flag-off.

Tikolo expressed confidence in the squad, which combines experienced campaigners with emerging players, saying the selection was based on performances in recent assignments, including the tour of India and the ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali.

“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,” he said.

The coach also backed the squad to deliver despite the absence of injured all-rounder Dinesh Nakrani and opening bowler Cosmas Kyewuta.

However, Tikolo warned his players against complacency, despite entering the competition as the highest-ranked team, stressing that their status would count for little without consistent performances on the field.

“It is a T20 tournament, and you cannot take anybody lightly. We must cover all our bases in batting, bowling and fielding,” he added.

Uganda are seeking a return to the global stage after making their maiden appearance at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States before missing the 2026 edition.

Captain Riazat Ali Shah said the team was determined to take a significant step towards qualification for the 2028 tournament but acknowledged the importance of maintaining discipline and executing the basics.

“We have a good combination of players, and we are excited to see the younger players grow. Tournaments like these are important because they learn how to handle pressure and improve through international competition,” Riazat said.

He also acknowledged the challenge posed by hosts Nigeria but insisted Uganda would concentrate on their own performance.

“Nigeria are playing at home, and they will benefit from that, but we have to play our game and perform according to our standards. We must go out there, express ourselves and focus on what we can control,” he said.

Uganda open their campaign against Zambia on October 20 before facing Lesotho the following day.

After a rest day, the Cranes will take on The Gambia on October 23, Mozambique on October 24 and hosts Nigeria on October 25.
With five matches scheduled across six calendar days, squad management and consistency will be crucial to Uganda’s ambitions.

A top-two finish would secure progression to the Africa Regional Final, keeping alive the Cranes’ hopes of qualifying for their second T20 World Cup.

TEAM UGANDA

Riazat Ali Shah, Robinson Obuya, Raghav Dhawan, Gerald Olipa, Sumeet Verma, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Pius Oloka, Anas Baig Mirza, Charles Musemeza, Cyrus Kakuru, Juma Miyaji, Joseph Baguma and Enock Kasaija.