There is a change of format for all seven sides including Ugandan franchises Warriors and Knights come the third edition of the East Africa Twenty20 Premier League tournament.
Unlike the past two years where it has been played in home and away basis in two different countries, it will be played in a space of five days from August 7-11 at two ovals in Nairobi – the Nairobi Simba Union Club and the Nairobi Club. “There is nothing tricky about it,” Lawrence Ssematimba, who captained Warriors to win last’s year’s trophy told Kawowo Sports. “As long as we adapt to the conditions in Nairobi, we have a chance to defend our title,”
And this time round, there will be a team from Tanzania – Dar Twigas included in the competition. Kenya brings four while Uganda completes with its pair, making it a truly East African event. “Kenya are favourites to win since they are hosting all games,” Davis Karashani, who led Knights team to the 2011 title said. “But playing there is not an unfamiliar territory for us. We have played and won there before,”
Before, Uganda’s sides played the Kenyans in the round-robin games in a home and away affair. “It is sad that the local cricket fraternity will not catch any action on the oval.” Karashani, also the national team skipper added. The teams will be spread out over two pools, with the top two in each group advancing to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the 50-Over East Africa Cup (EAC) will be played over four weekends starting on August 17 with the final scheduled for September 8 at Simba Union. In this tournament, only Kenya and Uganda sides will battle it out for the title.
2013 EAST AFRICA CUP COMPETITION TEAMS
EAPL GROUPS
GROUP A: Rwenzori Warriors (Uganda), I&M Nyati and Rising Star Chui (Kenya), Rwanda franchise
GROUP B: Nile Knights (Uganda), Tanzania franchise, Sameer Simba and Flower Wings Ndovu (Kenya)
EAC GROUPS
GROUP A: Rwenzori Warriors (Uganda), I&M Nyati and Rising Star Chui (Kenya) GROUP B: Nile Knights (Uganda), Sameer Simba and Flower Wings Ndovu (Kenya)