MATCH STORIES
Follow UsThere’s nothing more satisfying than a dream coming to fruition. You work on it for years, you have setbacks, but if your dream is big and you put in your sincere efforts towards it, NOTHING in the world can stop you from achieving it. That dream turned into reality for Uganda against Papua New Guinea (PNG).
For Uganda, that dream was playing in a World Cup. The wheels were set in motion when they were pitted in the African Qualifiers against some quality sides. With only two spots up for grabs, there was little to no doubt that a Test nation like Zimbabwe are going to be hot favourites.
Not surprisingly, Namibia, who had played in the last two World Cups were also favourites.
Had Uganda finished three or below, nobody would have batted an eye. On expected lines, they fell short against Namibia. They were going to be no match for Zimbabwe, right? WRONG! Uganda had a plan and they outplayed Zimbabwe in every department.
They did not go into the tournament just to make up the numbers. It was in fact their former head coach Lawrence Mahatlane who initially instilled the belief, even if the players did not completely buy into it.
“Coach Mahatlane has changed our cricket. When had come in, he told us, 'guys, do you know we can play the World Cup in 2024?' We couldn't believe what he was saying,” Nsubuga said in a chat with Cricket.com.
“He used to spend a lot of time with us in the training. He gave us a cricket culture. I think he has changed a lot of things in Ugandan cricket. He has changed a lot of players. The players started believing in him. He mixed it up - with the junior and senior players. He has done a lot of work - that believing we can qualify, we can play with that mentality, the belief, the mindset, he has sold us a dream. So, he has done a lot for us. I cannot even believe it that Uganda qualified for the 2024 World Cup.”
Not just that, Uganda cleverly appointed Craig Williams, the former Namibia captain, as one of their coaches in the Qualifiers, given that the tournament was played in Namibia. His inputs were crucial for the team, as they rallied to get to make it through to their first-ever World Cup.
“Coach Craig Williams, when he came into the camp, he told us, we came here to win this trophy,” Nsubuga recalled.
The players responded and what eventually transpired would go on to inspire many not just in the country, but also those nations, where cricket is not considered a viable career choice.
The ICC is looking to change that perspective by hosting the World Cup in the US and the Cricket Cranes are doing the same with some top performances on the field.
Given that Uganda will be up against the West Indies and New Zealand next, it would be safe to assume that this could very well be their only win of the tournament. But it will certainly not take the sheen out of what a momentous journey it has been for the Men in Yellow.
It’s just around six in the morning in Kampala, and there are chances many may not even know what this win means to the country. When they know what their men have achieved far away in Guyana, they can be proud.
Mahatlane, Williams, Jackson Ogwang, are some of the men who have worked tirelessly behind the scene and now rightly deserve their time under the sun. Associate cricket is alive and no doubt that it is heading in the right direction.
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