Cricket: Kenya U-19 lads begin hunt for World Cup slot
Kenya Under-19 players and officials pose for a photo at Nairobi Gymkhana Club on March 25, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Irungu believes his team is ready to return to the global stage for the first time since 2018.
- “We are well prepared. I am very confident in my boys; they will make it (to the World Cup) this time around. They just need to be focused and strong mentally,” said Irungu.
After nearly three months of intense preparation, the moment of truth has arrived for Kenya as they take on Sierra Leone in their opening match of the 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Men’s World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier in Lagos, Nigeria on Friday.
The tournament also features defending champions Namibia, Uganda, and Tanzania, competing in a round-robin format. The ultimate prize is a sole ticket to the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Kenya’s match against Sierra Leone is set for 9:30am local time (11:30am Kenyan time) at the University of Lagos Oval, while Nigeria will face tournament favourites Namibia at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval. The tournament concludes on April 6.
Kenya, coached by former cricketer Josphat Irungu, have been in training since mid-January.
The squad has gained valuable experience through friendly matches against a selected Kenya national men’s senior cricket team and participation in the recently concluded Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) T20 League Cup, where Swamibapa “A” emerged champions.
Irungu believes his team is ready to return to the global stage for the first time since 2018.
“We are well prepared. I am very confident in my boys; they will make it (to the World Cup) this time around. They just need to be focused and strong mentally,” said Irungu.
However, he remains cautious about the competition.
“In Under-19, you cannot underestimate any team, so we will take each game at a time. We expect a tough match against them (Sierra Leone),” added the former Kenya international.
Kenya’s campaign received a major boost on Tuesday after Lifecare Foundation sponsored the team with Sh50 million.
“As a company, we are fostering commitment to cricket in Kenya. We are looking forward to seeing how these young lads perform. We have no doubts they will qualify, and we hope to continue supporting them on their journey to the World Cup,” said Dr Murray Heyns, Managing Director of Lifecare Hospitals.
Kenya narrowly missed qualification for the 2024 World Cup in South Africa, finishing second in the Africa Division One Qualifier, also held in Lagos.
Namibia topped the standings with nine points, two ahead of Kenya. The young Kenyans won three out of five matches, including a four-wicket victory over Sierra Leone. Their only defeat was a seven-wicket loss to Namibia, while their match against Tanzania was abandoned due to rain.
Kenya’s captain, Yash Gohil, exuded confidence ahead of the tournament.
“To be honest, none (no team is a threat to Kenya). I feel we are ahead of the competition. We have all played a good amount of high-level cricket, so we are backing our abilities and hopefully, we will win the tournament. 2026 is ours, we hope to qualify and make our stand in the World Cup,” said Gohil.