Uganda Cricket Cranes’ assistant coach Jackson Ogwang Oyuku didn’t mince his words as his side prepares for a do or die 5th place semifinal playoff at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
The mission is simple, beat Malawi or risk dropping into the relegation zone.
Uganda’s run has been bumpy. Defeats to Zimbabwe and Tanzania ended their semifinal hopes, but a commanding eight wicket win over Botswana restored some confidence and secured third place in Group B.
That set up a semifinal survival clash with Malawi, while Nigeria faces Botswana in the other playoff.
Ogwang admitted the team had fallen short but refused to dwell on the disappointment.
“It’s not the happiest of moods,” he said.
“But this is sport. The only way to respond is to win the games left. We are fighting and will keep fighting.”
He credited the win over Botswana to sharper all-round play, especially from the spinners, and urged consistency.
“Today we put our act together and it worked. It’s unfortunate we slipped in the first two, but there’s still more to play for.”
On Uganda’s slower batting finishes, Ogwang was calm.
“Sometimes when you rush, you make mistakes. Today we did the basics right. If you lose wickets cheaply, you rebuild. That’s normal in cricket.”
But with the playoff looming, he made the stakes clear.
“We’re supposed to win. We’re definitely supposed to win every game from now. Lose again, and you’re in relegation. That’s not what we want. We want to finish high.”
The World Cup dream is gone, but survival and pride remain on the line.
