Pieters pins hopes on Eagles to qualify for World Cup

Former Cricket Namibia (CN) chief executive Laurie Pieters is pinning hopes on the senior cricket team, better known as the ‘Richelieu Eagles’, to book a place in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup showdown.

Namibia is currently hosting the International Cricket Council (ICC) Africa T20 World Cup qualifiers in the capital, where six African nations, including the host, are vying for the two top spots to secure participation at the world cricket spectacle.

Namibia’s Richelieu Eagles opened their accounts against fierce foe Zimbabwe earlier this week, beating the opponent by seven wickets.

The two top nations will qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Speaking to Desert Radio this week, Pieters looked at the recent history of the two nations.

Namibia in the last two series defeated Zimbabwe with a close 3-2.

“Looking at Namibia’s players, numbers and being a small sport, we certainly have amazing talent, and youngsters keep coming through.

“Certainly Namibia and Zimbabwe are my favourites to qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup to be hosted by West Indies and the United States from 4 to 30 June.

“To qualify for a world cup is always a wonderful achievement, and both teams will be giving their utmost,” Pieters says.

He says Uganda, however, are always a competitive side, and Kenya have in the recent past years played good cricket.

The former CN head says Rwanda are an upcoming side, yet a threat to be countered is Tanzania.

“I am pretty confident Namibia is going to do well having registered their first victory against Zimbabwe. I trust and hope they will qualify together with Zimbabwe,” Pieters says.

He says Nigeria is another competitive side, with a huge player pool to pick from.

“It is a great honour for Namibia to be selected to host the ICC qualifying events. It says a lot for CN and its administration, including the development of the sport,” Pieters says.