Image: Faf du Plessis will captain Namibia U-19 in the World Cup qualifiers / © Hindustan Times
In the latest surprising turn of events, a young cricketer named Faf du Plessis has been appointed captain of Namibia’s Under-19 team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Lagos, Nigeria. However, this 17-year-old Namibian is not the former South African captain or the ex-RCB skipper set to play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. Sharing the same name, the young Faf is a right-handed batter and leg-break bowler, determined to carve out his own identity on the cricket field.
Namibia’s U-19 squad is packed with talented youngsters like Adrian Koetzee, Ben Brassel, Eric Lintvelt, Henry Grant, and Rovan van Wuren. The team faces a tough challenge in the Division 1 qualifiers, locking horns with Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Their campaign begins at the University of Lagos Cricket Oval, with their second match scheduled against Sierra Leone.
The ultimate prize is a spot in the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. While Zimbabwe qualifies automatically as hosts, Namibia must fight for their place. Only one team from this group will advance to the World Cup, making the stakes extremely high. The young Namibian side is eager to rise to the occasion and secure their berth in the global event.