Uganda’s Cricket Cranes have been flagged off for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja, Nigeria, with the team setting its sights on winning the tournament and securing progression to the Africa Regional Final.
The 14-man squad and officials were flagged off at the National Council of Sports (NCS) headquarters in Kampala on Friday by NCS Assistant General Secretary Technical Milton Chebet, Senior Sports Officer Anne Nankya and Cricket Uganda CEO Evelyn Kabongerwa Shinyekwa.
The team travels on Sunday ahead of the October 18–25 competition.
Led by captain Riazat Ali Shah and vice-captain Kenneth Waiswa, Uganda enter the six-team tournament as the highest-ranked side, but must finish in the top two to advance to the Africa Regional Final on the road to the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Uganda made their maiden appearance at the global showpiece in 2024 but missed the 2026 edition, making the Abuja assignment an important opportunity to revive their qualification ambitions.
Head coach Steve Tikolo expressed confidence in the selected squad, which combines experienced campaigners with emerging talent.
Performances during the India tour and the ILT20 Continent Cup in Kigali informed his selection.
“We feel these are the best 14 players to go and do the job for us in Abuja.
We have a good combination of experienced players and youngsters who have put up their hands whenever they have been selected,” Tikolo said.
He backed the squad to cope with the absence of injured all-rounder Dinesh Nakrani and opening bowler Cosmas Kyewuta.
“I am confident in the boys going to Abuja. Our target is to go there and win the tournament, not only qualify.
We have spoken about that as a team, and everybody understands the goal,” added the 55-year-old tactician.
Tikolo, however, warned against underestimating any opponent, emphasising the need for consistency across all departments.
“It is a T20 tournament, and you cannot take anybody lightly. We must cover all our bases in batting, bowling and fielding,” he added.
Riazat said the squad’s blend offered a strong foundation, while underscoring the importance of nurturing younger players through international competition.
“We have a good combination of players, and we are excited to see the younger players grow, and tournaments like these are important because they learn how to handle pressure and improve through international competition,” he said.
On hosts Nigeria, Riazat acknowledged their home advantage but insisted Uganda must focus on their own performance.
“Nigeria are playing at home, and they will benefit from that, but we have to play our game and perform according to our standards.
We must go out there, express ourselves and focus on what we can control,” he said.
“We missed the 2026 World Cup, and now our goal is to qualify for the 2028 edition. We have to focus on every game, do the basic things well and take the tournament one match at a time,” he added.
TEAM UGANDA
Riazat Ali Shah, Robinson Obuya, Raghav Dhawan, Gerald Olipa, Sumeet Verma, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Pius Oloka, Anas Baig Mirza, Charles Musemeza, Cyrus Kakuru, Juma Miyaji, Joseph Baguma and Enock Kasaija.
UGANDA’S FIXTURES – MOSHOOD ABIOLA STADIUM, ABUJA
October 20: Uganda vs Zambia – 11:30 am (EAT), NCF Oval 1
October 21: Lesotho vs Uganda – 11:30 am (EAT), NCF Oval 2
October 23: The Gambia vs Uganda – 3:50 pm (EAT), NCF Oval 2
October 24: Uganda vs Mozambique – 11:30 am (EAT), NCF Oval 2
October 25: Nigeria vs Uganda – 3:50 pm (EAT), NCF Oval 2
