Namibia’s U-19 team has appointed young cricketer Faf du Plessis as captain for their World Cup qualifiers, causing confusion due to the name’s similarity to South African legend Faf du Plessis. The team will compete against several nations to secure their spot in the 2026 U-19 World Cup, with the tournament format featuring group stages and elimination rounds.
The Namibia U-19 cricket team has appointed Faf du Plessis as their captain for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, prompting confusion among fans due to the shared name with the renowned South African cricketer. The young captain, also a right-handed batter and a useful leg-break bowler, has already made three appearances for the Namibia U-19 team.
With the U-19 World Cup Division 1 Qualifiers approaching, Namibia is set to compete against teams from Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda, starting with their match against Nigeria on March 28 in Lagos. Following that, they will face Sierra Leone at the University of Lagos Cricket Oval.
This tournament presents a significant opportunity as the victor will represent Africa in the 2026 U-19 World Cup, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. Notably, Zimbabwe has already qualified as the host nation, while Namibia must compete in a qualification tournament.
The U-19 World Cup will be its 16th installment, featuring 16 teams divided into four groups. The top three teams from each group progress to the Super Six stage, while fourth-placed teams engage in placement matches. In the Super Six, groups will be formed combining top teams from Groups A, B, C, and D, with the top two from each proceeding to the semi-finals.
Direct qualifiers this year include not only Zimbabwe as hosts but also defending champions Australia, alongside Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and West Indies, filling the rest of the spots via regional qualifications.
The confusion surrounding Faf du Plessis’s appointment as Namibia’s U-19 captain highlights the overlap of names in cricket. As the team prepares for critical qualifiers in Nigeria, the stakes are high for them to represent Africa in the 2026 U-19 World Cup. With structured stages in the tournament, Namibia aims to break through and secure a position alongside cricketing powerhouses in the semi-finals.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
