By: Michael Okuley
What started as an eight-nation battle for gold has now narrowed down to a thrilling two-nation showdown. The top-ranked teams, South Africa and Zimbabwe, are poised for an eagerly anticipated final to conclude the debut of women’s cricket at the 13th edition of the African Games in Accra today.
In the semifinals held at Achimota Oval A, both South Africa and Zimbabwe easily advanced without having to shift into second gear.
Proteas Women ruthless
In a one-sided encounter, South Africa dominated Uganda, securing a 50-run victory in the first semi-finals stage of the tournament.
Asked to bat first by Uganda for the first time in the tournament, skipper Nondumiso Shangase led from the front with an innings of purpose and urgency. She was a busy body; running hard between the wickets as she featured in an industrious partnership of 44 runs for the third wicket stand with Jenna Evans (14 off 26), who retired hurt, in her 42-ball knock of 38 runs.
Miane Smit added aggression at the end with 20 off 16 before being caught by Janet Mbabazi (one for 17). Faye Tunnicliffe, Annerie Dercksen, and Kayla Reyneke each contributed 14 runs, setting a target of 122 for 4.
The Victoria Pearls struggled to rise to the occasion, displaying casualness in the field, missing several chances. Their batting performance was disappointing too as they folded for 72 in 18.3 overs.
Esther Iloku (19) looked steady at the top and Phiona Kulume (12) briefly entertained at the end but the rest buckled under pressure and fell over easily. It was Player of the Match Shangase and Reyneke who blew away the East Africans with three scalps apiece in an innings that saw five ducks.
The only positive for Uganda in the match was offered by captain Consy Aweko. The 32-year-old became the 12th woman in world cricket to reach 100 Women’s T20 Internationals (WT20I) wickets.
Notably, she is only the second woman in Associate Cricket to achieve this feat, following Thailand’s Nattaya Boochatham. Aweko’s record is unique as she joined the elite club of 100 in just 73 matches, boasting the fastest reach and the highest number of career maidens – 24.
Zimbabwe in cruise control
The fast-rising pair of Peculiar Agboya and Christabel Chukwuonye continued to excite in their respective spells of two for 12 and two for 15 but they never had enough runs to work with in the end.
Zimbabwe secured another comfortable five-wicket victory against ‘surprise package’ Nigeria, confirming their place in the final against South Africa. Nigeria’s captain Blessing Etim won the toss, but their batters struggled to get solid starts, with only Piety Lucky (13) and Salome Sunday (10) managing double figures.
Teenage sensations Kelis Ndhlovu and Loreen Tshuma slowed down Nigeria’s innings, each claiming three wickets. The Female Yellow Greens could only muster 74 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs.
Modester Mupachikwa, the leading runs scorer with 119 runs, once again anchored the chase with a solid 26. Then captain Mary-Anne Musonda (18), and her deputy Josephine Nakai Nkomo (13*), guided Zimbabwe to victory at 75 for 5 in 16 overs. While the fast-rising duo of Peculiar Agboya and Christabel Chukwuonye continued to excite in their respective spells of two for 12 and two for 15, Nigeria’s bowlers didn’t have enough runs to defend in the end.
Fitting finale
As South Africa and Zimbabwe battle for the coveted gold medal, the Achimota Sports Complex is poised to welcome its largest audience to date. Anticipation is high, with numerous officials from both governments and athletes from various disciplines expected to attend and rally behind their respective nations.
National technical delegates and government envoys have been trickling in over the past week to catch the action, particularly from Nigeria, who will be aiming to finish strong and surprise Uganda.
