Cricket association starts search for new coach

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Efforts are underway in the search for a new coach for the Cricket Cranes following the departure of South African tactician Lawrence Mahatlane, whose contract ended at the end of October 2023.

According to the advert released by the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA), the successful candidate will have the responsibility of ensuring that the Uganda men’s team achieves consistent success and reflects the spirit of Uganda.

Furthermore, the “coach will carry out responsibilities as the Head Coach for the Cricket Cranes Men’s team with the aim of grooming players for international contests, all while upholding the UCA’s commitment to achieving distinction.”

One of the key qualifications highlighted in the advert is the requirement for ECB/CA/BCCI/CSA Level 3 or 4 accreditation, or an equivalent international qualification.

The successful candidate will inherit a rejuvenated Cricket Cranes team that recently made history by qualifying for the Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time. Their triumph came in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier last month.

Since Mahatlane’s departure, the team has been under the interim guidance of Head Coach Jackson Ogwang. Notably, many cricket enthusiasts are advocating for Ogwang to assume the permanent role, acknowledging his pivotal role in securing the team’s historic qualification.

It should however be recalled that the decision not to renew Mahatlane’s contract in October shook UCA, and resulted in the resigning of top administrators and the Association.

In September, URN reported that both UCA Chairman, Michael Nuwagaba, and Allan Mugume, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association opted to resign after failing to agree with the rest of the board members regarding the renewal of Cricket Cranes Head Coach Lawrence Mahatlane’s contract.

Sources had indicated that both Nuwagaba and Mugume were in favor of renewing Mahatlane’s contract, while several other board members vehemently opposed the idea and desired the departure of the South African coach urging that keeping him around would cost the association.

Mahatlane’s impending departure raised concern, as it coincided with the period just before the Cricket Cranes participated in the ICC T20 World Cup Africa regional qualifier in Namibia.

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URN