Story by Michael Okuley
The race for women’s cricket medals at the 13th edition of the African Games has intensified, with only four teams – Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe – remaining in the hunt.
On Match Day Three, the medal chase escalated as Zimbabwe dominated Kenya by 68 runs, securing an undefeated finish in Group B. Meanwhile, Uganda overcame a challenge from Rwanda to secure their spot in the semifinals.
In Group A, favourites South Africa secured the top spot with four points, completing a remarkable comeback from Day One’s opening one-run loss to Namibia. Their 4-wicket win over a spirited Nigeria allowed the latter to advance to the semifinals with a better Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.778 in a group where two teams finished with three points each.
Tanzania play kingmakers
The morning fixtures of Group A had everyone on edge, as all four teams – South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, and Tanzania – still had a mathematical chance of securing a coveted spot in the last four.
South Africa confirmed their semifinal berth with a hard-fought 4-wicket victory over Nigeria in a low-scoring thriller at Achimota B Oval. Despite Nigeria initially looking set for a competitive total at 62 for 3 in 14 overs, a sudden collapse saw them lose seven wickets for 12 runs, ending at 74 all out in 18.4 overs. Seshnie Naidu and Kayla Reyneke combined for seven wickets after Nigeria’s top-order of Favour Esiegbe (17) and Peculiar Agboya (15) had laid a platform.
In the second innings, right-arm medium-fast bowler Lillian Ude wreaked havoc in South Africa’s batting lineup, achieving her maiden five-wicket haul at a cost of only 18
runs. Faye Tunnicliffe’s resilient innings (45 off 34) helped the Proteas Women cross the line at 78 for 6 with 31 balls remaining.
The real drama unfolded at Achimota Oval A, where Namibia aimed for a win of any margin to secure a spot in the semifinals, while Tanzania needed a massive victory to significantly boost their Net Run Rate (NRR) of -3.184. Capricorn Eagles skipper Yasmeen Khan (48) and free-stroke maker Wilka Mwatile (33) set the tone for a total of 103 for 8 with Agnes Joseph Qwele (three for 19) and Tabu Saidi Omary (two for 12) working hard to stem the carnage at the back-end of the innings.
Tanzania’s big-hitting left-hander, Saum Godfrey Mtae, dominated the second inning with a score of 41 off 30. Despite Namibia’s struggles to dismiss her, gifting her a couple of reprieves, Mtae managed two boundaries and two meaty sixes.
After Mtae’s dismissal at 73 for 3 in 10.2 overs, Tanzania still needed 31 runs from 58 balls with seven wickets in hand. It looked easy, but there was no smooth sailing. The trio of Arrasta Diergaardt, Mwatile, and Saima Tuhadeleni, along with some fine catching, combined for six wickets to ensure a nail-biting finish.
The last wicket stand of left hander Mwanavua Ushanga (4*) and Saum Hussein (1*) needed three runs from eight balls but they didn’t need to play all of them in the end. Ushanga broke Namibian hearts as she creamed Tuhadeleni through the covers for four, sealing a 1-wicket victory with eight balls remaining.
Although Tanzania’s victory boosted their NRR to -1.130, they fell short of surpassing Nigeria’s NRR of 0.778. Nigeria now face Zimbabwe in the second semi-final this afternoon.
Zimbabwe, Uganda clinical
In Group B, Zimbabwe and Uganda displayed unwavering determination, securing their spots in the semifinals with clinical performances.
Zimbabwe overwhelmed Kenya after being asked to bat first. Modester Mupachikwa (40 off 40) and Sharne Mary Mayers (39 off 40) set the stage for an authoritative total, guiding the Lady Chevrons to 80 in 12 overs. Teenager Kelis Tanyaradzwa Ndhlovu (24 off 21) and skipper Mary-Anne Musonda (18 off 9) also contributed, propelling Zimbabwe to a formidable 142 for 5. Kenyan medium-pacer Flavia Atieno Odhiambo deserves mention for returning respectable figures of three for 29.
Despite Kenya’s bravery in the chase, their efforts fell short as they crawled to 27 for 2 in 10 overs. However, 16-year-old vice-captain Melvin Khagoitsa displayed promising talent, scoring 30 runs in a 48-ball innings, showcasing both boundary-hitting skills and a desire to occupy the crease. Venasa Adhiambo Ooko’s unbeaten 18 off 13 balls denied Zimbabwe’s bowlers more than one scalp apiece, and Kenya ended on 74 for 4 in 20 overs.
For Uganda, their East African derby against Rwanda revealed a standout performer. Former Victoria Pearls captain Immaculate Nakisuuyi, coincidentally batting in her 50th T20I innings, scored her first half-century with an unbeaten 57 off 56 balls as Uganda set 106 for 2. Nakisuuyi then showcased her bowling prowess, delivering some exciting off-break spin to claim four wickets for 15 runs in her four-over spell—her best T20I career bowling figures. This effort limited Rwanda to 76 for 8 after 20 overs.
Despite Rwanda concluding their campaign winless, positives emerged from skipper Diane Mary Bimenyimana’s resilient innings of 28 off 39, Alice Ikuzwe’s bowling spell of one for 10 in 4 overs, and the incisive spells of 19-year-old spinner Rosine Irera, who opened the bowling and finished with overall figures of three for 31 in 10 overs.
Medals rush on cards
Today promises to be as enthralling and riveting as any semi-finals could be. Nigeria, positioned as the lowest-ranked nation at 27 in this tournament, face Zimbabwe with nothing to fear this afternoon at Achimota Oval A.
Zimbabwe’s coach, Walter Chawaguta, is expected to leave nothing to chance and is anticipated to field the same successful team. He also hopes that veteran ace Precious
Marange recovers from a late fitness concern, following her injury in the game against Kenya.
Uganda’s reward for making the semifinals grade is a date with South Africa this morning. Both teams are grappling with their own challenges, particularly in the batting departments.
SCORES IN BRIEF – DAY THREE:
Game 9 – Namibia v Tanzania
Namibia won the toss and elected to bat first
Namibia 103 for 8 in 20 overs
(Y Khan 48, W Mwatile 33; A Qwele three for 19, T Omary two for 12)
Tanzania 107 for 9 in 18.4 overs
(SG Mtae 41, PZ Kamunya 13; A Diergaardt two for 6, W Mwatile two for 23)
Tanzania won by 1 wicket (with 8 balls remaining)
Game 10 – Nigeria v South Africa
Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat first
Nigeria 74 all out in 18.4 overs
(F Esiegbe 17, P Agboya 15; S Naidu four for 13, K Reyneke three for 12)
South Africa 78 for 6 in 14.5 overs
(F Tunnicliffe 45, M Smit 10; L Ude five for 18, U Peace one for 15)
South Africa won by 4 wickets (with 31 balls remaining)
Game 11 – Kenya v Zimbabwe
Kenya won the toss and elected to bowl first
Zimbabwe 142 for 5 in 20 overs
(M Mupachikwa 40, SM Mayers 39, KT Ndhlovu 24; FA Odhiambo three for 29)
Kenya 74 for 4 in 20 overs
(M Khagoitsa 30, VA Ooko 18*; P Marange one for 5, L. Mabhero one for 15)
Zimbabwe won by 68 runs
Game 12 – Rwanda v Uganda
Rwanda won the toss and elected to bowl first
Uganda 106 for 2 in 20 overs
(I Nakisuuyi 57*, G Obukor 21; A Ikuzwe one for 10, HT Ishimwe one for 22)
Rwanda 76 for 8 in 20 overs
(DM Bimenyimana 28, M Uwase 13; I Nakisuuyi four for 15, CN Aweko three for 20)
Uganda won by 30 runs
Match Day 4 – Monday 11th March
09:30 – Semifinal 1:
South Africa vs Uganda, Achimota A
14:00 – Semifinal 2:
Zimbabwe vs Nigeria, Achimota
