The Africa Cricket Association (ACA) has reopened talk of a continent-wide T20 Cup, something loosely modelled on the long-running Asia Cup. Early paperwork is circulating, money men are doing their sums, yet no one inside the room thinks the first ball will be bowled before 2027.
Right now two issues dominate every agenda item: when can the tournament be played, and how do teams qualify? Both questions, in truth, hinge on South Africa. The Proteas are the biggest draw in African cricket and also the busiest. Their commitments under the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) run through to February 2027, and the next FTP – expected to be signed off before November – will map out another five-year stretch immediately afterwards. Until CSA know that detail, they cannot promise a first-choice squad.
A senior official close to the talks put it bluntly: “CSA like the idea, but they need a clear window before putting pen to paper.” Finding that window is tougher than it sounds. South Africa are free only during their southern-hemisphere winter, and even that gap is shrinking as leagues, World Cups and bilateral tours jostle for space.
Zimbabwe and Namibia, the two other expected hosts, are in lighter traffic lanes. Zimbabwe, another Full Member, still have plenty of wriggle room; Namibia, as an Associate, even more. Yet without South Africa the television cheques and sponsorship packages lose several zeros, so the three boards know they must move together.
There is, however, a short-term project everyone seems happy with. CSA and Zimbabwe Cricket are working towards an August tri-series in Victoria Falls, using the new Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium. Namibia are pencilled in as the third side, and the matches may be 50-over affairs to double as World Cup preparation. Part of the gate and broadcast take would flow to the ACA, a handy test run for the bigger concept.
Relations between the neighbours have warmed notably over the past 18 months. South Africa toured Zimbabwe for two Tests and a T20 triangular (New Zealand were the outsiders) last winter – their first Test visit for more than a decade. A largely second-string Proteas T20 outfit, Quinton de Kock included on his return from semi-retirement, opened Namibia’s new ground in Windhoek last October. That venue then staged men’s Under-19 World Cup fixtures and is on the schedule for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which SA, Zim and Namibia will co-host.
Under that 2027 agreement, most matches will still be in South Africa; Zimbabwe should get two grounds, Namibia one. South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically as hosts; Namibia must fight through the Associate pathway, a reminder that status still matters.
The same pecking order applies to any Africa T20 Cup. Full-Member presence drives broadcast value, Associate involvement broadens the base. The ACA’s challenge is to stitch both together without blowing up anyone’s domestic or international diary. Easy to say, harder to deliver – which is precisely why everyone is talking 2027, not 2025.
