Cricket
Choudhry,Mutu out as Uganda date TZ
Jonathan Ssebanja was not part of the team that won the 2011 African Premier League in Kampala but has cemented his place in the national set-up for the last two years with consistent shifts. PHOTOS BY DEUS BUGEMBE & EDDIE CHICCO
Posted Sunday, February 24 2013 at 02:00
South Africa-based Khaalid Moothosamy and UK-based Hussain Shaaiq Choudhry will have to wait a month longer to be eligible to represent Uganda in an International Cricket Council (ICC)-sanctioned tournament.
“We have not been able to secure their dual-citizenship passports in time for this tournament,” Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) CEO Justine Ligyalingi disclosed to Sunday Monitor on Friday evening.
“It is sad news but once again it is just a blip in our preparations because we knew such a thing could happen.” Their fate means they will not have any say in the ICC Africa Division I Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier that got underway in Kampala yesterday.
Ligyalingi, however, made it clear that the decision was a blessing in disguise as ‘Mutu’ as Moothosamy is called by his teammates and Choudhry’s absence will give a chance to other fringe players.
“It was a decision taken in the best interest of the game. We have talked to the players and they understand the situation is beyond our control. Good thing is that they are willing to wait and earn their national stripes.”
And whereas the pair will be in agony for missing out on a chance to impress and win over some new home fans, Richard Okia and Ronald Ssemanda, who were promoted from the reserves to the final squad of 14, will be itching to prove that they are worth their late picks.
Okia and Ssemanda could be thrown straightaway into the mix by coach Martin Suji when Uganda engages Tanzania at Kyambogo Oval this morning.
This will be the first time the two East African sides meet since 2007 when Uganda edged past Tanzania by four wickets in low scoring thriller at the ICC Division III World Cricket League (WCL) tournament in Darwin, Australia.
Okia was part of the winning-squad in Darwin whereas Ssemanda, a former U-19 skipper, will be playing against the Tanzanians for the first time.
“Whoever gets a chance to play will grab it with both hands. We want to give a commanding and comprehensive performance throughout,” said skipper Davis Karashani.
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