Uganda’s Baby Cricket Cranes finished their assignment in Kigali with all boxes ticked, but deep down they know that is half the job done.
Uganda has been to three U-19 World Cups, and that taste of the big stage is pressure on a generation to make sure the same is repeated.
However, the qualifiers in 2025 in Nigeria dropped Uganda into uncharted waters, but in the depths of the relegation was an opportunity to start over.
The Baby Cricket Cranes defeated hosts Rwanda in their final game of the tournament, with both teams assured of progress; only bragging rights were on the table, but for Uganda, a clean sweep would be a statement of intent as well.
In a low-scoring game, Rwanda only managed 89 runs, which Uganda got inside 19 overs, with Devansh Patel (27) finally getting some runs in a tournament he was expected to be one of the dominant players.
The clean sweep for Uganda was only the beginning of the journey to the 2028 U-19 World Cup. They will wait for the host nation for the U-19 World Cup Qualifiers next year, but the preparation has to start immediately.
Cricket Uganda can use the same script as Tanzania, who put together a great core of players that won the Division 2 qualifiers together and went all the way to beat everyone in Division 1 en route to qualifying for their maiden World Cup.
The core of players who have had a great experience in Kigali, if looked after well, could be the next generation to qualify for the World Cup.
The technical team of Grace Mutyagaba needs to get to work now and start working with the youngsters with the purpose of making sure they are well prepared for tough competition at the next level.
