Cricket: Uganda get Lagos mission underway

U-19 Africa World Cup Qualifiers

Host City: Lagos

Teams: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia & Uganda

Uganda’s fixtures

Today v Tanzania

Tomorrow v Kenya

April 1 v Sierra Leone

April 2 v Namibia

April 6 v Nigeria

Uganda opened their account at the Africa U-19 World Cup qualifiers in Lagos against Tanzania earlier today, with the outcome of the contest expected later in the afternoon.

Uganda must defeat their southern neighbours if they are to contend for the World Cup ticket. Tanzania should make for tough opponents, but Namibia, Kenya, and perhaps Nigeria should pose more questions.  

Uganda played at the 2022 World Cup after winning the African qualifier for that edition, but two years ago was a different story. Uganda survived relegation at the 2023 African qualifier, an outcome that raises questions about what the appropriate level of expectation for Uganda should be.

Uganda’s performance against Tanzania today will go some way in providing the answers, with an emphatic victory opening the door to hope. A huge win would similarly generate the confidence and momentum necessary to carry into tomorrow’s fixture against Kenya.

Back-to-back encounters against Sierra Leone and Namibia on Tuesday and Wednesday could well seal Uganda’s qualification if they become part of an unbeaten run for Gerald Olipa and Co.

It is a big if, but not out of the question for a team that has won this tournament three times before.