Namibia will host Uganda in their third ICC Inter-Continental Shield Cup match in Windhoek from 18-21 September.
Uganda was supposed to host the match but all this changed following the bomb blasts that hit Kampala on July 11, leaving at least 70 people dead. In the aftermath of the incident, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave the hosting rights to Namibia.
Namibia are currently third, behind United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uganda after losing their first match against UAE and beating Bermuda in Windhoek. Uganda beat Bermuda and drew to UAE in January this year.
If Namibia wins the match then they will qualify to play in the final against the UAE.
National team coach Johan Rudolph, said that the team had been preparing since May for the match.
“We have been preparing since May for the match. We have not yet finalised the final team we will only do that on Monday or Tuesday,” Rudolph said.
“Uganda is a well coached team with lots of energy. They are also an intelligent side and a very good bowling and fielding side.”
“Raymond van Schoor is back from England and is training with the team so we should have a top class team,” he added.
Van Schoor, who plays cricket in England is normally Namibia’s opening batsman.
“I think that we are ready. We have covered all the areas since May, we just need to play according to our strengths. If the team is hungry enough, I believe we can do it,” Rudolph added.
Speaking to www.observer.ug, the coach of Uganda, Ebrahim Barney said that he was confident of his team's chances.
“When I had just come, we had problems batting and its for that reason that we fell short during the World Cup qualifiers at the beginning of 2009. But the discipline we showed during the two Inter-continental Shield Cup games in Bermuda and the UAE was good. I’m confident we will do well in Namibia,” Barney said.
UAE leads the points table with 37 points after beating Bermuda and Namibia and drawing against Uganda. In second place with 29 points is Uganda, Namibia is third with 26 points and Bermuda is last after they lost all three of their matches.