The onus of poising a perfect start in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers is one team Uganda will have to work for when they face Namibia on Saturday.
The boys from Windhoek are the outright favourites to win these qualifiers having been at last year’s ICC Youth World Cup in Australia. They would like to make back-to-back progress at the global event and the road start against the Uganda.
“We respect Uganda as the hosts,” Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus told Kawowo Sports. He was in company three other teammates as they relaxed by the pool side at Hotel Africana a day to the game.
“Uganda offers tough bowling and fielding which we must be cautious about.” he added.
But team Uganda head coach Davis Turinawe insisted batting would be first choice if they won the toss at the lakeside oval in Entebbe.
“The boys need to score good runs and our fielding defends the score,” he said.
Abdalah Lubega and Simon Ssesaazi are expected to open Uganda’s innings while Ivan Baidhu is in at three. Assistant captain Faruk Ochimi’s pace as well as Mohammed Akmal’s spin will open with the ball as they look to out muscle Namibia’s batting.
“We have been together for close to eight years from school and we want to carry the bond to the oval,” Lubega said.
Erasmus, who has four wicket-keeping options, was quick to say Lubega was a threat with a bat.
“I have seen him hit the balls hard when we were together in an ICC Academy in Benoni, South Africa two years ago. He is one to watch.”
In another Group tie, Zambia play Tanzania at the university oval in Kyambogo while Kenya and Botswana clash in Group B.
TEAM UGANDA: Derrick Bakunzi (Captain), Faruk Ochimi (Asst. Captain), Abdalah Lubega, Simon Ssesaazi, Abdalah Sezooba, Lawrence Ssempijja, Uzama Mukaya, Ivan Baidhu, Varinder Singh, Emmanuel Hasahya, Simon Ayella, Arnold Otwan, Irishad Suleman.
RESERVES: Joseph Oyet, Ivan Kakande
Officials: Coach: Davis Turinawe, Assistant Coach: John Trust Mayeku, Manager: Martin Ondeko
GROUP A – Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia
GROUP B – Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Botswana
OPENING FIXTURES – MAY 25
Kenya vs. Botswana – Lugogo
Zambia vs. Tanzania – Kyambogo
Uganda vs. Namibia – Entebbe