Namibia U-19 cricket team appointed Faf du Plessis as captain for World Cup qualifiers, leading to fan confusion with the South African cricketer of the same name. The team will compete against Kenya, Nigeria, and others, vying for a spot in the 2026 U-19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The Namibia U-19 cricket team has appointed a cricketer named Faf du Plessis as their captain for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, sparking confusion among fans. This confusion arises from the presence of the renowned South African cricketer with the same name. The 17-year-old captain, who also delivers leg-spin bowling, has previously played three matches for Namibia U-19.
Namibia’s U-19 squad will debut in the Division 1 Qualifiers facing teams such as Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda, starting with a match against Nigeria on March 28. The qualifiers will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, where Namibia will subsequently compete against Sierra Leone.
The Namibia team aims to secure a spot for the U-19 World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. While Zimbabwe has qualified automatically as hosts, Namibia must navigate through these qualifiers. This will mark the 16th edition of the U-19 World Cup, featuring 16 teams divided into four groups, striving for progressing to the Super Six stage.
In the Super Six stage, teams advancing from groups A and D will combine with those from groups B and C for a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. Direct qualifiers for the tournament also include Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and West Indies, with other slots determined through regional qualification.
In summary, the appointing of Faf du Plessis, a young cricketer from Namibia, as the U-19 captain led to widespread confusion among fans due to his name mirroring that of the famous South African cricketer. As Namibia prepares for the Division 1 Qualifiers, the team’s objective remains clear: to earn a place in the prestigious 2026 U-19 World Cup, alongside a competitive field of teams from the region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
