Mukama wary of Malawi threat

THE national cricket team captain Dennis Mukama has warned his team to be on the look out for Malawi-the host team for next month’s ICC World Cricket League Division 3 tournament. According to the ICC-the world’s cricket governing body, Rwanda is seeded second after Sierra Leone but Mukama insists that Malawi could prove the cricket body wrong.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Dennis Mukama

THE national cricket team captain Dennis Mukama (pic) has warned his team to be on the look out for Malawi-the host team for next month’s ICC World Cricket League Division 3 tournament.

According to the ICC-the world’s cricket governing body, Rwanda is seeded second after Sierra Leone but Mukama insists that Malawi could prove the cricket body wrong.

"Of course Sierra Leone stand out as our major threat but we should keep a close eye on Malawi.

The mere fact that they are hosting the tournament gives them an edge,” he said before adding, "From what I have heard, some of Malawi’s top players have not featured in past tournaments partly because they did not want to travel out of the country but now that they are hosting the event, we expect them to field a much stronger team.”
Mukama also views this year’s team as the best ever that Rwanda has had.

"This year, we have a more complete team compared to the past tournaments. The level of physical fitness and temperament is also high,” the middle-order batsman continued.

"I feel we have what it takes to go all the way.”
Rwanda is making a fourth appearance at the competition.

The team’s best display came last year when they reached the semi-final only to be ejected by eventual winners Ghana.

In Malawi, the tournament will be played on a round-robin basis from October 2-8.

Besides Malawi, Sierra Leone and Rwanda; Morocco, Lesotho and Gambia are also in the fray.

Ends