Uganda’s U19 cricket team, the Baby Cricket Cranes, has officially set off for Nigeria ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifier.
The team was flagged off on March 25, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see them secure a fourth U19 World Cup appearance.
Uganda will battle against five other nations—hosts Nigeria, defending champions Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone—in the tournament scheduled from March 28 to April 6.
The competition will take place at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval and the University of Lagos Cricket Oval, with only the top team earning a coveted spot at the 2026 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The Baby Cricket Cranes kick off their campaign on March 29 against Tanzania, followed by key encounters with Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Nigeria.
Having previously qualified for the U19 World Cup in 2004, 2006, and most recently in 2022—where they finished 13th after a victory over Scotland—Uganda is determined to return to the global stage.
The squad comprises Gerald Olipa (C), Devansh Patel, Richard Sohera, Christopher Kidega, Jonathan Nyiiro, Robert Owili, Conrad Lubwama, Abraiz Mir Ali, Peter Ochen, Musa Majid Ramathan, Gurjivan Singh, Ali Balidawa, Aziz Tandia, and Jordan Oketcho.
As they embark on this journey, the Baby Cricket Cranes carry not just their own ambitions but also the dreams of Ugandan cricket fans who are eager to see them shine once more on the world stage.
