Africans aim for u.19 Cricket World Cup spot

The African continent will be represented in all its cricketing glory this week with the 2018 ICC under 19 Africa Qualifier Division 2 tournament taking place in Potchefstroom at various cricket grounds from 19–28 August.
This tournament will see nine teams battling it out for a spot in the 2020 ICC u.19 Cricket World Cup tournament in South Africa. Playing this tournament in Potch will give these African teams a chance to scout the conditions beforehand.
The lesser-known cricketing nations of Botswana, Tanzania, Swaziland, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ghana Nigeria, Lesotho and Mozambique will fight it out in two groups. The semi-final will take place on Sunday, 26 August with the final happening at Senwes Park on Tuesday, 28 August.
Matches are taking place at the Puk Oval, Ibbies Oval, PMSC Field and the Witrand Oval.
All the teams were confident and optimistic about their opportunity to make it to the global showpiece. They gave their thoughts at a press conference at Senwes Park on Saturday.

‘I believe we have a solid team and a mixture of youth and experience with some quality players who will provide the backbone of the fight,’ said the Botswana coach, Joseph Angara. He represented Kenya at the 1999 and 2003 World Cup tournaments.
Swaziland, on the other hand, will quickly have to adapt to the conditions in South Africa. They only have experience in playing on synthetic pitches.
‘It will be a challenge for our young squad to get used to the pitches in South Africa but I believe this tournament will be a good learning curve for us,’ said the head coach, Kunal Sharma.
Nigeria looks like a menacing team with a couple of tall speedsters and big hitters in their squad. Their recent victory over the much-fancied Uganda national team has added to their confidence. ‘We have had great support from the Nigerian public and cricket is growing in our country at the moment. Our preparation has gone well too and we are confident,’ said head coach, Clive Ogbimi Uthe.
*Read more on the week’s results and action in Thursday’s edition of Potchefstroom Herald.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar