Uganda Cricket Association excited over Mahatlane

Sometimes you get the sense you've hit the bullseye, that you got your man. 

That's the prevailing vibe within the corridors of power at cricket body UCA following the unveiling of new national coach Lawrence Mahatlane on Thursday. The arrival this week of the South African ended a six-month enforced Coronavirus wait for the Uganda cricket fraternity and judging by first impressions, Mahatlane has met initial expectations. 

UCA chief executive Martin Ondeko is relieved to have Mahatlane, who inked a three-year deal,  ahead of the trial tour to the UAE next month.

Ondeko's first impressions of Mahatlane were effusive, as he hailed, "a straightforward person, a hard-worker and someone who's very smart". Uganda are targeting ODI status by 2022, a goal that will partly depend on how well they progress through the ICC Cricket World Challenge League. 

The Cricket Cranes are top of Group B after winning all five games in the first round. Mahatlane has all the experience and nous to spearhead Uganda's ambitious vision, having spent the last 15 years working in elite coaching positions in South Africa, not least as south Africa U-19 coach for the last six years.