Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFRICA Cricket Association chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, has hailed the successful hosting of the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia as a significant boost for the continent’s game.
India’s teenage cricketers were crowned champions following a comprehensive 100-run triumph over England at Harare Sports Club.
And as he looked back to the tournament whose games were spread in Harare and Windhoek, Mukuhlani noted the improving quality of cricket in Africa.
The ACA boss cited Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup and Namibia’s participation in the T20 World Cup as some of the key indicators of the growth of cricket across Africa.
“There is a steady growth trajectory in Africa,” Mukuhlani said.
“For many of our members in the 23-member organisation (ACA), there is a lot to learn from this Under-19 World Cup.”
Mukuhlani, who is also the Zimbabwe Cricket chairman was also impressed with the competitiveness of the teams that were at the African Games in Accra, Ghana in 2024.
“If you look at the quality of cricket that was being played in Ghana, Accra, it was amazing.
“If you look at the quality of cricket that was played in the just-ended Global Qualifiers, where Zimbabwe qualified for the current T20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“Come to think of it, the Nigeria Under-19s went to the World Cup, Namibia is at the T20 World Cup right now and Uganda were in the last edition of the World Cup.
“This tells you that there is a steady growth trajectory in Africa,” said Mukuhlani.
He said that the staging of major events like the One Day International World Cup and the Under-19 ODI World Cup will play a big part in the growth of the sport on the continent.
“It’s very refreshing to see these major tournaments coming.
“There is a lot of cricket that is being played in Africa, and tournaments like these help as a catalyst to the growth of the game in Africa.
“We are looking forward to the fact that cricket will also be on the African Games programme in Egypt, in Cairo (2027).
“If we put cricket within the multi-sport matrix, it gives many more other African countries an opportunity to participate and grow,” said the ACA boss.
Mukuhlani went on to challenge the other members of ACA to draw lessons from who, despite being an International Cricket Council associate member, have made great strides with their game.
“Many of our members in the 23-member organisation can pick lessons from what Namibia has done, from building a cricket facility that can host a tournament of this magnitude (ICC U-19 World Cup),” he said.
Zimbabwe were also a beneficiary of the hosting of the World Cup, with Takashinga Cricket Ground in Harare’s Highfield suburb being upgraded to international standards.
Both Namibia and Zimbabwe will also co-host the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup along with South Africa, a development that has left ACA chair Mukuhlani purring.
