Senior Patriots Set to Depart for Botswana for ICC Qualifier

By Bockarie Allieu

232news –

The Sierra Leone Senior Men’s National Cricket Team, known as the Senior Patriots, is set to depart for Botswana on Tuesday, 19th May 2026, to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier.

The team will travel via Ethiopia Airlines, with the delegation expected to spend the night in Lungi before departure. The 18-man delegation comprises 14 players, a team manager, the head coach, and a board member.

The team will transit through Ethiopia, where they will briefly stay before continuing their journey. They are expected to arrive in Botswana either late Wednesday or early Thursday.

On Friday, 22nd May 2026, participating teams will train at the tournament venues, followed by a captains’ photo session with the trophy and an official press briefing involving coaches, team managers, and captains.

The tournament will kick off with matches at two venues, BCA1 and BCA2 Ovals. Sierra Leone will face host nation Botswana in their opening match on Friday afternoon at BCA1.

On Saturday, Sierra Leone will take on Cameroon at BCA2. The team will rest on Monday before facing Kenya in a crucial match at BCA1.

All participating teams will observe a rest day on Wednesday, 27th May, before resuming matches on Thursday, 28th May. Sierra Leone will then face Rwanda, followed by matches against Ivory Coast and Mali in their final group fixtures.

The tournament will conclude on 31st May 2026, with all participating teams expected to depart the same day.