PRESS RELEASE:
Uganda will be host to Nigeria and neighbors Kenya for a 13-match T20 Series as all three sides build-up for the Africa T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Rwanda.
Nigeria is fast improving as a cricket nation and got a taste of the big time at the T20 World Cup Qualifiers in UAE in 2019 therefore they are no pushovers. They have shown intent with the hiring of 1996 World Cup winner Asanka Gurusinha from Sri Lanka.
In his own words “After nearly 2 years Nigeria is playing competitive cricket and we will be using this tournament as preparation for the ICC qualifiers in November. We are looking forward to playing 2 topsides and competing”.
Kenya, currently playing a 3-match One Day Series with the hosts which are evenly poised at 1-1 are using the T20 series to torch up their squad ahead of the qualifiers in Kigali. Kenya was also part of the Global qualifiers in UAE in 2019 but they didn’t give themselves a great deal of chance with their performances. The team is under the leadership of Shem Ngoche and he will have the experience of Alex Obanda, Irfan Karim, Nehemiah Ngoche, Nelson Mandela, and Elijah Otieno to count on.
For Kenya, playing against Uganda is all about pride! Uganda is a team in transition and feels that the tide is changing in the region. The last time the two faced each other in a T20 match was in 2019 here in Kampala when Kenya broke Ugandan hearts with that one-run win.
Brian Masaba, the man in charge has his work cut out as it is the 1st time he is in charge of the side at home. With Saud Islam, Ronak Patel, Dinesh Nakrani, and Bilal Hassun available for selection, he has the resources to win games. Youngsters Frank Akankwasa and Kenneth Waiswa have shown they belong at the stage and they should be fearless.
The games will all be played at the Entebbe Cricket Oval with a YouTube Stream available for the fans to follow. The tournament will have a World-class stream provided by Dreamcatcher Sports that will be distributed globally.
For us to be able to pull off this event, we have received support from PEPSI through their Nirvana water brand. Pepsi has given us 200 cartoons of water. Roke Telkom is providing a dedicated connection at the cricket oval for us to be able to stream the game and Uganda Airlines is giving a return air ticket to Zanzibar for the series Most Valuable Player (MVP). We are very grateful to these companies and we shall give them the value that they deserve.
The Teams;
Uganda: 1. Brian Masaba (Captain), 2. Arnold Otwani, 3. Simon Ssesazi, 4. Saud Islam, 5. Ronak Patel, 6. Deus Muhumuza, 7. Riazat Ali Shah, 8. Frank Akankwasa, 9. Fred Achelam, 10. Dinesh Nakrani, 11. Kenneth Waiswa, 12. Charles Waiswa, 13. Henry Ssenyondo, 14. Gerald Mubiru, 15. Bilal Hassan, 16. Jonathan Ssebanja, 17. Harsh Panchal, 18. Richard Agamire.
Kenya; 1. Shem Ngoche, 2. Irfan Karim, 3. Nehemiah Ngoche, 4. Rushhabhvardhan Patel, 5. Nelson Odhiambo, 6. Gurdeep Bhagat, 7. Alex Auma, 8. Dominic Wesonga, 9. Eugene Odhiambo, 10. Elijah Asoyo, 11. Emmanuel Ringera, 12. Zahid Abbas, 13. Vraj Patel, 14. Lucas Ndandason, 15, Peter Langat, 16. Muhammad Kaylan, 17. Stephen Obuya, 18. Brian Likavu
Nigeria; 1. Joshua Ayannaike (Captain), 2. Chimezie Onwuzulike, 3. Daniel Ajekun, 4. Samuel Mba, 5. Sesan Adedeji, 6. Vincent Adewoye, 7. Jimoh Abdulrahman, 8. Isaac Okpe, 9. Taiwo Mohammed, 10. Mustapha Yusuf, 11. Peter Aho, 12. Prosper Useni, 13. Sylvester Okpe (Vice-Captain), 14. Odion Isesele, 15. Abdulrasheed Abolarin, 16. Segun Ogundipe, 17. Danladi Isaac, 18. Sulaimon Runsewe
The official tournament hashtag is #PearlofAfricaSeries for all other media engagements you can email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
