Suji faces new challenge leading Nile Knights title hunt

Coast Pekee player in a past East Africa Cricket League match in Nairobi. [Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard]

By Oscar Pilipili

Martin Suji coaching ability comes to focus today when he leads Uganda’s Nile Knights against his former club Kongonis in the East African Cricket League at the Nairobi Club.

Suji, a former national team bowler, spent close to two years coaching at Kongonis where he earns a lot of respect from both his players and opponents.

Within a short time, Suji was called up to the national team technical bench but he did not last long as Uganda Cricket Association came calling. He was employed as Uganda national team coach. Suji admits that his return will be an emotional one.

“I think it will be a bit strange because I was used to sit on the left hand side of the dressing room of the pavilion at Nairobi Club with majority of the players in the team but this time around, I’ll be going into a different dressing room,” said Suji.

Suji who was the national Under-19 coach too and led Kenya to their first global qualifiers last year said it will be challenging for him to face his former club “but work must be done.”

Kongonis will have to be at their best to resist the determined Ugandan outfit that has really improved under Suji.

“The players are hungry of success. They want to improve every time and this something that is really pushing me. Want to fulfil their dreams,” he said.

The home side will look to top order batsmen Collins Obuya and Alex Obanda to anchor their batting while Arthur Kyobe will lead the Ugandan batting attack.

In other matches, Coast Pekee will be determined to stop a resurgent Rwenzori Warriors as they seek their first away win in Kampala.

The hosts Warriors will start as firm favourites at the Lugogo Oval after beating Kenya’s other side Rift Valley Rhinos last week to take the lead in the competition.

At Greensteads School, Nakuru, hosts Rift Valley Rhinos welcome Kanbis Tigers who are enjoying a good run in the league. Kanbis have only lost one match so far and a win will put them in a good position to win the title.

Unlike other Kenyan franchises who will be fielding their professional players from India, Rhinos will be missing their player Dipesh Bandari who has a back injury.

East African Cricket League was launched in Nairobi two weeks ago and one of its objectives is to offer players a forum to engage in competitive cricket.