Rwanda U-19 national girls’ cricket team is cautious of the threat posed by Uganda ahead of the ICC Africa U-19 cricket tournament slated for December 7-9 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Uganda has won the annual tournament four consecutive times and the reigning champions will be looking to maintain the status quo at this year’s edition.

Rwanda’s head coach Joshua Mwanja explained that, "The Ugandan team has massive experience with seven of their players featuring on the senior national team. However, we have to aim at defeating them against all odds.”

Mwanja is wary of Uganda’s captain Janet Mbabazi, Damalie Busingye (vice captain) and Rachael Ntono who also features for the senior team, a feat that gives them an edge at this tournament.

Mwanja, a former Uganda international, will be relying on the experience of captain and wicketkeeper Sarah Uwera, all-rounder Diane Bimenyimana (vice captain), Pacifique Nyarirandona, Jose Umuhoza, Egidia Uwimana and Babyshish Ishimwe who are also part of the senior national team of Rwanda.

Ishimwe picked a remarkable eight wickets at last year’s edition and was named third best bowler to inspire Rwanda to a fourth place finish including a stunning win against Kenya, an associate cricket nation.

"We shall be out to prove that we too can play hard and cause upsets at this tournament. We have trained well and expect to put up a good performance. We played against some of the girls at the Kwibuka tournament in June,” added Mwanja.

This year’s tournament has attracted Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda and hosts Tanzania.