Africa Continental Cup 2026 Live Streaming, Schedule & Squad

The Africa Continental Cup is a men’s T20I tournament organized by the International League T20 (ILT20), the UAE-based T20 franchise league, in partnership with African cricket boards — which is why you’ll sometimes see it referred to as the “ILT20 Continent Cup” in official team announcements. It’s now in its third edition, having launched in 2023 and returned in 2024, with both previous titles won by Uganda’s Cricket Cranes. There was no edition in 2025.

For associate nations in East and Southern Africa, the tournament fills a useful gap between the larger ICC qualifying events, giving sides regular T20I cricket against similarly ranked opposition on a home-and-away basis rather than a single round-robin.

Format and Venue

2026 Continental Cup tournament is being played entirely in Kigali, Rwanda, across two grounds at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium complex — Gahanga Main Oval and Gahanga B Oval. The five teams play a double round-robin league phase, meaning each side faces every other team twice, before the top two sides meet in the final. A rest day has been built into the schedule on 14 September, with the final scheduled for Saturday, 19 September at Gahanga Main.

Teams in the 2026 Africa Continental Cup

This is a smaller field than some previous ICC Africa qualifying events, but the double round-robin format means more fixtures per team and, in theory, fewer dead rubbers than a single round-robin would produce.

Teams and Players to Watch

Uganda arrive as the tournament’s most experienced and highest-ranked side. According to tournament previews, they sit 21st in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings, the highest of any team in this field, and reached the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup on their debut appearance at the tournament. Riazat Ali Shah captains the side, with Kenneth Waiswa as his deputy, and the squad is coached by former Kenya international batter Steve Tikolo. Uganda won every league match on their way to the 2024 title, so their unbeaten record in this competition is a genuine streak to watch.

Rwanda, as hosts, arrive with real form and a clear talisman in Hamza Khan. They also beat Kenya by two wickets in May’s Africa Sub-regional Qualifier A, a result that suggests this year’s meeting between the two sides won’t be a formality for Kenya despite the historical head-to-head favouring them.

Kenya and Rwanda have already secured places in the 2027 Africa Regional Final as a result of finishing first and second respectively in that May qualifier, so for both sides this tournament doubles as form-sharpening cricket rather than a direct route to a bigger prize. For Botswana and Sierra Leone, by contrast, every match here is an opportunity to close the gap on the region’s stronger teams.

Where to Watch Live?

ICC.tv will live stream all matches in their respective territories. In addition, for live score updates, stay tuned to CricInfo and ESPN. Cricbuzz will telecast the Africa Continental Cup 2026 matches.

All-Team Squad

Uganda Squad: Riazat Ali Shah (c), Kenneth Waiswa, Charles Musemeza, Cyrus Kakuru, Gerald Olipa, Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta, Enock Kasaija, Fahad Mutagana, Joseph Baguma, Matthew Musinguzi, Anas Baig, Robinson Obuya, Ronald Lutaaya.

Kenya Squad: Dhiren Gondaria (c), Gurdeep Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Sachin Gill, Rakep Patel, Brian Likavu, Shem Ngoche, Francis Mutua, Lucas Ndandason, Vishil Patel, Peter Koech, Nitish Hirani, Gerald Muthui, Rushab Patel.

Botswana Squad: Thatayaone Tshose (c), Mounroux Kasselman, Vinoo Balakrishnan, Phemelo Silas, Boemo Khumalo, Ryan Adams, Boemo Kgosiemang, Botlhe Keganne, Dhruv Maisuria, Katlo Piet, Mmoloki Mooketsi, Tumelo Mpatane, Valentine Mbazo, Myolisi Fumba.

Sierra Squad: Lansana Lamina (c), Alusine Turay, Samuel Conteh, Aliya Kamara, Abubakarr Kamara, Raymond Coker, Yegbeh Jalloh, George Sesay, Eric Musa Turay, Solomon Williams, Mohamed Turay, David Halloway, Ibrahim Kpaka, Brima Ansumana.

Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the last Africa Continental Cup?

Uganda won the 2024 edition, beating Nigeria in the final and completing the league phase unbeaten. They also won the inaugural 2023 tournament, making them two-time defending champions heading into 2026.

Where is the Africa Continental Cup 2026 being played?

All matches are being played in Kigali, Rwanda, across two venues at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium complex: Gahanga Main Oval and Gahanga B Oval.

How many teams are competing in 2026?

Five: hosts Rwanda, defending champions Uganda, Kenya, Botswana and Sierra Leone.

When is the final?

The final is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September 2026, at Gahanga Main Oval, following a double round-robin league phase and a rest day on 14 September.

Final Word

Rwanda’s opening-day win over Botswana was a statement of intent from the hosts, and with Hamza Khan in the kind of form he’s shown in recent months, they look like Uganda’s most credible challengers for the title. But Uganda’s unbeaten record across two previous editions, backed by the region’s most experienced coaching setup in Steve Tikolo, means the Cricket Cranes remain the side to beat until someone actually beats them.