Baby Victoria Pearls Off to Rwanda

As the Baby Victoria Pearls embark on a World Cup qualifying journey, head coach Yusuf Nanga is adamant his side has had ‘sufficient time’ to prepare themselves for the task ahead.

The side will be competing at this year’s U19 Africa Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, and they were flagged off to Rwanda, the host nation on Wednesday.

With Uganda coming close to qualifying in 2022 when they finished fourth in Botswana at the inaugural edition, Nanga is confident of a positive outcome this time. There’s just one place up for the grabs, but Nanga is trusting his girls to get the job done.

“The team has prepared very well,” He said. “We have had sufficient time to prepare the girls and be champions. We expect stiff competition from all the teams but as long as we do what we have to do well we should do well. The goal for us is to go to the World Cup.”

Uganda will begin their campaign against Group A favourites Namibia on Sunday 22nd at the Gahanga 2 ground. They will follow that up with a clash against rivals Kenya the following day before wrapping up their group proceedings on Wednesday 25th against the hosts.

The team will for the second time be captained by Jimia Mohammad. The side’s wicketkeeper skippered her side at the inaugural edition in Botswana.

Jimia is one of the experienced players in the team, but the two players that will find pride in that tag are Malisa Ariokot and Lona Anyait. The duo have featured severally for the senior team, the Victoria Pearls.

Full Squad

Jimia Mohammad, Malisa Ariokot, Lorna Anyait, Patricia Timong, Shadiah Gilingish Nabulime, Rashidah Tikabula, Irene Mutonyi, Immaculate Nandera, Mary Patricia Apolot, Asumin Akurut, Jane Naume Amongin, Michelle Ariago, Agnes Nakakande, Barbra Nanyanzi.