Mukobe ends career
Mukobe (R) celebrates the fall of a wicket against Netherlands with Hamza Saleh during the ICC World Cup Qualifier held in New Zealand in January 2014. COURTESY PHOTO.
What you need to know:
The wicket-keeper batsman, who has been with the Cricket Cranes for two years, says he needs more time with his family and new job at SuperSport.
WINDHOEK
Things went from bad to worse as Uganda wrapped up its woeful campaign at the Pepsi Division II International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) tournament in Windhoek, Namibia yesterday.
After the Cricket Cranes connived to play their worst cricket, getting bundled out for 79 runs as Netherlands breezed home in 6.3 overs with a clinical 7-wicket win to earn promotion to the 2015/17 Division I ICC WCL Championship and Intercontinental Cup on Friday, more salt was rubbed onto the glaring wounds of the Cricket Cranes set up when Phillemon Mukobe announced his retirement.
The wicket-keeper batsman gave an emotional six-minute speech in the dressing room, speaking fondly of the good memories he enjoyed with the side during his Uganda career that started two years ago, the dreams never achieved and urged the team to keep their chins up for future engagements.
“I am walking away,” said the 28-year-old left hander, leaving the Ugandan dressing room at the Wanderers stunned into silence on his decision to pull the plug abruptly.
“But it is not because I am tired. I am going to marry later when I go back to Pretoria after this tournament and my girlfriend begged that I retire because I have to give her more time. I also want to concentrate on my new job at SuperSport in Randburg.”
Explaining further, a teary but eloquent, Mukobe added; “I have given my all for Uganda and I have no regrets. I have also played this game for a long time. I started when I was six. I don’t see myself being available for the Africa World Cup T20 Qualifiers and then the Global Qualifier in Scotland later this year. But I wish the team all the best.”
Mukobe has been Uganda’s best performer with the bat here in Windhoek as Uganda got relegated back to Division III with 140 runs at an average of 28 and a highest score of 70 against Canada on January 21.
The highlight of his career was the man of match award he won for his game-winning knock of 84 runs against Nepal on Day One of the Division III WCL in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year in October.
It was by far his best outing as his finished with 163 runs at an average of 32.
Mukobe at a glance
Full name: Phillemon Mukobe Selowa
Also known as: Mpho Selowa, Mpho Mukobe
Born: August 3, 1986, Pretoria, Transvaal
Major teams: Uganda, KwaZulu-Natal, Northerns, University Sports South Africa XI
Batting style: Left-hand bat
Fielding position: Wicketkeeper
