Jackson Ogwang was on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 officially unveiled to the media as the Cricket Cranes interim head coach.
This development comes after the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) decided not to renew Laurance Mahatlane‘s contract.
Mahatlane took over the Cricket Cranes in 2020 on a three contract, but despite his successes with the team, the South African’s contract was not renewed.
Ogwang replaces the man who he’s been an assistant to for the three years the South African has been in charge.
As the man in charge now, the 33-year-old’s immediate task is to lead the Cricket Cranes in Namibia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to bowl off on 20th November.
It will be the first time Ogwang leads the senior national team as the main man, but in spite of the task appearing challenging, Ogwang says he is ready for it and insists the team will stick to its processes.
What Ogwang said
“Every task comes with some kind of pressure, but this one, we are really looking forward to,” Ogwang said.
“We have worked on a game plan and a certain brand of cricket we want to play. Our recent success has come from a brand where the boys express themselves in an aggressive and smart approach. We will continue doing the same going into the qualifiers.”
As he gets his reign going, Ogwang paid homage to the outgoing coach.
“Its been a privilege to work with a coach from a test playing nation.
“I have learnt a lot from him; his organisational skills, player management skills, player motivational skill; his player performance plans and player development plan. Working with him has been a learning process for me.”
What the Association leadership said
Michael Nuwagaba, the UCA chairman was in attendance on Wednesday during the unveiling to address some issues among others why Mahatlane’s contract wasn’t renewed.
Nuwagaba revealed the need to ‘shift gears’ was the reason as to why UCA decided against contract renewal.
“As the board, we feel our current coach (Laurence Mahatlane) has done a lot of good work for us. He has moved us from 33rd ranking to the current 23rd, but the thinking is to get higher, we need to shift some gears,” Nuwagaba said.
“So as the board, we took the decision not to renew his contract, and in the interim, we will be using our local content to take us through the coming events.”
“Jackson Ogwang who has been under Mahatlane’s watch for three years will be in charge of the team.”
From Namibia and whatever transpires there, Ogwang will also be in charge of the Cricket Cranes as they seek to defend the T20 Africa Cup in South Africa in December.
Courtesy Photos
