The 2024 Middle Stump end-of-the-year awards for African cricket, hosted at the Cricket Lab in Lagos, Nigeria, witnessed a complete sweep by the host nation, claiming all 13 accolades. This remarkable achievement underscores a year of unprecedented success for Nigerian cricket, marked by a historic bronze medal at the African Games in Ghana and qualification for the 2025 ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup. The event served as a celebration of cricketing excellence across the continent, but ultimately became a showcase of Nigeria’s dominance in the sport.
Leke Oyede, head coach of the Nigerian women’s national cricket team, was recognized as Coach of the Year for his instrumental role in guiding the team to their bronze medal triumph. This victory at the African Games also earned the team a nomination for Best Cricketing Moment in Africa, though the award ultimately went to the U-19 women’s team for securing their place in the upcoming World Cup. This double recognition highlights the impressive progress made by Nigerian women’s cricket at both the senior and junior levels.
The U-19 women’s team’s qualification for the World Cup was not the only junior accomplishment celebrated. Piety Lucky, captain of the World Cup-bound team, was named Nigeria Women’s Player of the Year, signifying her leadership and contribution to the team’s success. Peculiar Agboya further cemented the future of Nigerian cricket by winning the Women’s Young Player of the Year award, while former U-19 captain Ridwan Abdulkareem took home the men’s equivalent. These awards demonstrate the depth of young talent emerging within Nigerian cricket.
Beyond individual player achievements, Nigeria also excelled in other aspects of the game. The Edo State Cricket Association received recognition for its outstanding grassroots development program, surpassing other initiatives from across the continent. This award highlights the importance of fostering cricket at the community level, nurturing future generations of players. Okechukwu Onwudiwe, of the Northern Cosmopolitan Academy, further emphasized the nation’s commitment to grassroots development by winning the award for Individual Contribution to Grassroots Development in Africa.
The awards also recognized the contributions of umpires, administrators, and fans. Nigerian umpires Tope Onikoyi and Dahiru Enesi were named male and female Umpires of the Year respectively, showcasing the high standard of officiating within the country. Ene Odang received the Administrator of the Year award, acknowledging the vital role of effective administration in the sport’s growth and success. The inclusion of these categories underscores the comprehensive nature of the awards, recognizing contributions beyond the playing field.
The evening concluded with two special awards. Former NCF president, Kwesi Sagoe, was honored with the Lifetime Service Award, recognizing his long-standing dedication and impact on Nigerian cricket. Funmilayo Omoniyi, embodying the spirit and passion of the sport’s supporters, was named Fan’s Fan of the Year. These awards highlighted the broader community that supports and sustains cricket in Nigeria, acknowledging the contributions of both past leaders and dedicated fans. The complete sweep of awards by Nigeria at the 2024 Middle Stump Awards represents a historic moment for the country’s cricket, signifying not only the present strength of the sport but also its promising future.
