The 2024/2025 Club Cricket Committee (CCC) Lagos league concluded its thrilling season, marking another successful year for cricket in Southwest Nigeria. The league, encompassing 22 teams across two divisions, showcased intense competition and remarkable individual and team performances. The premier division games reached their peak at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square Oval, while the division one matches culminated at the UNILAG Oval. The season finale saw Rising Stars Cricket Club clinch the premier division title and Rocks of Abeokuta secure the division one championship, both achieving their victories through impressive displays of skill and determination.
Rising Stars Cricket Club dominated the Super Six stage of the premier division, accumulating nine points from four wins and one no-result in five matches. Their consistent performance throughout the season propelled them to the top of the standings, surpassing the previous champions, Island Titans Cricket Club. Despite an unbeaten run in the league stage with eight consecutive victories, Island Titans were unable to maintain their dominance in the Super Six, ultimately yielding the title to the ascendant Rising Stars. Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 1 also delivered a commendable performance, securing a respectable third place in the Super Six, highlighting the depth of talent and competitiveness within the premier division.
The battle for survival in the premier division proved equally compelling, with Government College Ughelli Old Boys and Ibadan Metropolitan Cricket Club finding themselves at the bottom of the standings. Their struggles throughout the season resulted in relegation to division one for the upcoming 2025/2026 season. This outcome emphasizes the demanding nature of the premier division, where even established teams face the constant threat of relegation if they fail to perform at a consistently high level.
In division one, the competition reached a dramatic climax with Rocks Cricket Club of Abeokuta emerging as champions. Their thrilling one-wicket victory over Lagos Rangers Cricket Club on the final day of the season secured not only the division one title but also their promotion to the premier division for the next season. This nail-biting finish underscored the intensity and unpredictability of the division one race, where the outcome remained uncertain until the very last ball.
Joining Rocks in their promotion to the premier division are Super Eagles Cricket Club. Despite finishing with an identical eight points in the Super Six as Rocks, Super Eagles’ superior overall performance in the full league season, with seven wins from 12 matches, guaranteed their advancement. This demonstrates the importance of consistent performance throughout the entire league campaign, as aggregate results can prove decisive in determining promotion and relegation.
The CCC league, with its robust structure and competitive spirit, plays a vital role in nurturing and promoting cricket talent within Southwest Nigeria. Stakeholders lauded the league as the heart and soul of cricket in the region, acknowledging its contribution to the development and growth of the sport. The league provides a platform for players to showcase their skills, compete at a high level, and aspire to greater heights within the cricketing world. Moreover, the league’s success reinforces the growing popularity and engagement with cricket in the region, promising a bright future for the sport in Southwest Nigeria. The league’s competitive format, encompassing both league stage and Super Six phases, ensures that teams are consistently challenged and that the ultimate champions are truly deserving of the honor. This competitive spirit fosters continuous improvement and drives the overall standard of cricket in the region. The league’s success also depends on the dedication and passion of the players, coaches, officials, and fans who contribute to the vibrant cricketing ecosystem. The CCC league, therefore, serves as a testament to the power of organized sports to unite communities, inspire individuals, and promote healthy competition.
