Rwanda’s starlets will open the ICC U-19 WC Africa qualifiers campaign against Tanzania after the Cricket governing body (RCA) released fixtures for the forthcoming qualifying tournament which kicks off in Kigali from September 30 to October 6.

The qualifiers will attract five countries namely Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Namibia and hosts Rwanda.

The hosts will play their second game of the qualifying campaign against Nigeria on Friday, October 1, at IPRC Kigali Oval before returning to Gahanga Cricket Stadium for a cracker against Uganda on Sunday, October 3.

Martin Suji’s side will close their qualifying campaign against Namibia at IPRC Kigali Oval.

The five countries will play each other and the one with the most points will represent Africa in the 2022 ICC U-19 World Cup that will take place in the West Indies.

It will be the fourteenth edition of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, and the first to be held in the West Indies. 

Africa is the only region yet to produce a representative in the 16-team U-19 World Cup, with 15 teams already qualified.

They include hosts West Indies, Australia, India, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, UAE, Canada, Papua New Guinea and Ireland.