Uganda’s U19 girls’ cricket team, the Baby Victoria Pearls, are on track for a strong finish at the ongoing ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers 2024 after back-to-back victories.
This is according to Head Coach Yusuf Nanga, who has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to top their group, following a convincing nine-wicket win against Kenya in their second group stage match.
“We are looking forward to finishing top of the group and meeting a second-placed opponent in the other group,” Coach Nanga remarked after today’s game.
Despite the optimism, Nanga stressed that his team is not underestimating any opposition, adding, “We’re not taking any opponent lightly. We are coming back strong.”
The Baby Victoria Pearls opened their campaign with a 49-run victory over Namibia yesterday, setting the tone for their journey in Group A, where they are competing against Kenya, Namibia, and hosts Rwanda.
Uganda currently sits at the top of the group standings, as Rwanda who won the tournament’s opening game against Kenya, are currently facing Namibia, who lost to Uganda.
The Baby Victoria Pearls’ next challenge will be against Rwanda on Wednesday, September 25. A win in that match would secure their place in the semifinals as group leaders.
The team plans to rest and prepare fully for the encounter, with Coach Nanga saying, “We shall rest tomorrow and come back fresher to play against the hosts, Rwanda.”
Uganda, which finished fourth in the 2022 edition of the tournament held in Botswana, is one of the favourites to go deep into the competition.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, and the final is set for Sunday, September 29, in Kigali.
The winner will earn the sole qualification spot to represent Africa at the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
