Under-19 in SA for regional qualifiers
Dumisani Ncube | Friday September 9, 2016 14:24
Angara said his team had enough quality to progress to Division One.
Botswana joins six other teams; Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana for the round robin tournament.
The top two teams will proceed to Division One. “The team is more than ready to face the other six teams. I can say they are looking forward to the tournament with a positive mentality. All they want is to play and be in the top two so they can move to Division One,” Angara said.
He said the boys are physically prepared with no injuries in camp. The team comprises young players who will be playing in the tournament for the first time except captain, Tharindu Perera who was part of the team last year. “The majority are 16-year-olds, but this does not come as a disadvantage. The team has been playing international friendly matches with the likes of Zimbabwean and South African schools,” Angara said.
Against Zimbabwe, the team played four games, won one and lost three games. They lost all the matches they played in South Africa.
Angara said their strongest department is bowling. Botswana’s first match will be against Ghana tomorrow at the Willowmoore main ground. Botswana’s certified umpire, Ravi Angara will officiate during the tournament.
The team: Tharindu Perera (Capt), Willem Van Niekerk, Richard Pheko, Losika Makgale, Ane Moduke, Usmaan Mohideen, Boemo Kgosiemang, Rudolph De Wet (wkt kp), Valentine Mbazo (wkt kp), Phemelo Silas, Jurgens Fourie, Muaz Arooz, Abimaan Bhargava, Junior Mosepele.