Baby Victoria Pearls are going for big odds to reach the 2027 ICC Women’s U19 World Cup Finals.
The U19 Cricket National Team for Uganda is determined to make history in Tanzania and reach the 2027 ICC Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal.
The team, which was flagged off on August 27 at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, consists of 16 players, with 14 in the main squad and two reserve players set to travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for the Africa Zone 1 Qualifiers.
The qualifiers feature the top 8 teams of Africa youth cricket, which include Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Uganda is placed in Group A of the qualifiers along with Nigeria, Tanzania and Malawi. The top two teams from the group will advance to the semifinals and later the final, which will decide the nation that qualifies directly for the global event.
At the flag-off, team captain Jamia Abdallah Muhammad optimistically vowed that the team would go for the finals of the Africa Qualifiers and make history.
“We understand the responsibilities of wearing the national team colours and we are going to make history.”
“Our preparations have been intensive, we have put in some good work so far. This time we are much hungrier because we have many debutants and they come with different qualities.”
Head coach Brian Mark Masaba also sounded optimistic about the preparations they have had.
“The camp has been good, we have seen a lot of improvements over the last couple of days. We are very happy with where the girls are at the moment, but we need to understand that cricket games are won on the day and it is about who shows up on that day.”
Uganda will play their first game against Nigeria on August 30, face Tanzania on August 31, and finally play Malawi in the group stage on September 2, before the semifinals on September 3 and the final on September 5.
Players List:
Jamia Abdallah Muhammad (Captain), Shadia Nabulime Gilingish, Rashidah Tikabula, Sarah Tino, Michelle Ariago, Irene Mutonyi, Mary Namiiro, Elizabeth Achieng, Asha Mukite, Sheirah Namagoba, Mariam Biribawa, Blessing Noeline Apio, Joan Ilora and Devine Gabriella Nyamer.
Reserve:
Hasfa Naula and Sonia Nampeera.