Cricket Cranes’ coach contract extension talks overshadowed by strong interest from various countries

Laurence Mahatlane (right) during a training session with the Cricket Cranes | UCA Image

CRICKET Cricket Cranes’ coach contract extension talks overshadowed by strong interest from various countries

Peter Tabu • 11:30 - 13.07.2023

The Uganda Cricket Association find themselves in a spot of bother as they try to engage Cricket Cranes head coach Laurence Mahatlane.

For players or coaches, contract renewals are never a walk in the park, especially if the person expected to renew has proved himself.

The Uganda Cricket Association find themselves in a spot of bother as they try to engage Cricket Cranes head coach Laurence Mahatlane.

The Mzansi-born tactician has only three months remaining on his current contract, and even though the UCA board has initiated talks with Mahatlane to extend his stay with Uganda, other countries are also interested in his services.

Pulse Sports can reveal that Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda and his native South Africa are the four nations leading the chase for Mahatlane’s signature, offering bumper contracts to lure him away from Uganda.

“Yes, the coach’s contract runs down in October, but we’ve been engaging him because UCA intends to extend his stay; we offered him an improved contract, and we await his feedback,” Denis Musali, UCA’s communications manager said.

“However, as you know, the coach and the team are currently in Namibia, so the focus for now is on the Castle Lite Series,” Musali added.

Mahatlane, named Cricket Cranes head coach in 2020, has since introduced a winning mentality for both the Victoria Pearls and Cricket Cranes, a professional structure and depth in the squad with the introduction of younger players on both teams.

He has led Uganda to five T20 Cricket tournament wins, including the heist against Kenya in the Continental T20 Cup when the Cricket Cranes won by one run in July.

The Cricket Cranes, currently in Namibia at the Castle Lite series, are expected to feature at the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Namibia in November.

Mahatlane will also be expected to lead Uganda in the T20 World Cup qualifiers here in Kampala in December 2023.

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