Baby Victoria Pearls chase World Cup ticket in Tanzania

Uganda’s Baby Victoria Pearls will be chasing a first World Cup appearance at the Africa Regional Qualifiers in Tanzania.

The team of 14, composed of players from the school development program, will be pushing for a maiden World Cup appearance since the inception of the Junior World Cup in 2022.

Rwanda and Nigeria have represented Africa at the previous two editions, and both will be frontrunners.

Brian Masaba will lead the technical team, and he will be assisted by Ivan Kakande. The side will be led by Jimia Mohammad. Her experience playing for the Victoria Pearls will be critical, with the likes of Gringish Nabulime, Irene Mutonyi, Sheila Namagoba, Mary Namiiro, and Sarah Tino, who have also featured for the senior side.

The Baby Victoria Pearls will take some lessons from the experience of the Cricket Cranes with the new wickets in Tanzania taking a lot of turn, which will mean the spinners will play a role in their success.

Uganda is in Group B alongside hosts Tanzania, Nigeria and Malawi. They will start their campaign against Nigeria, followed by Tanzania and finish their group games against Malawi.

The top two sides in the group will qualify for the semifinals, but only the winner of the tournament qualifies for the World Cup. Zimbabwe, by virtue of pedigree, is expected to be the favourites.

Full Squad

1. Jimia Abdallah Mohamed (Captain)
2. Shadiah Gilingish Nabulime
3. Rashidah Tikabula
4. Sarah Tino
5. Mischelle Ariago
6. Irene Mutonyi
7. Mary Namiiro
8. Elizabeth Acheng
9. Asha Mukite
10. Sheirah Namagoba
11. Mariam Biribawa
12. Blessing Noeline Apio
13. Joan Ilora
14. Devine Gabriella Nyame

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