Africa’s brightest u.19 cricket talent is taking Potch by storm with the ICC under 19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2 tournament taking place from 19–28 August.

In the first two days of the competition, a couple of countries have put their hands up in their quest to progress to the Division 1 qualifiers en route to the major prize of representing their country at the 2020 ICC u.19 World Cup in South Africa.

The road to the World Cup begins in earnest in Potchefstroom as the nine nations of Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland compete for glory.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

The Nigerian u.19 national cricket team has been one of the most impressive sides of the qualifiers with massive wins against Ghana by 265 runs and Mozambique by a comfortable 10-wicket margin. One of the chief destroyers for Nigeria has been their all-rounder, Mohammed Taiwo, who   smashed 95 (98) against Ghana before dismantling the Mozambicans with the ball.

His bowling was like a dagger in their hearts as he finished with a piercing 4/10 from his seven overs. Ghana’s Paul Ayoleyine hit the highest score of the tournament to date with an unbeaten 99, just missing out on a well-deserved century. Botswana’s Zaidul Islam has also impressed with his seven wickets during the first couple of matches.

Sunday, 26 August – Semi-final 1: Senwes Park

Semi-final 2 – Puk Oval.

Tuesday 28 August – Final: Senwes Park

Third place playoff – Ibbies Oval.