Nigeria edge Zimabwe to qualify for ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027

Nigeria were crowned champions of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier after holding their nerve to defeat Zimbabwe by four runs in a dramatic final at the ESTIM Ground, Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Cricket Arena.

Defending a 98-run total, Nigeria dismissed Zimbabwe for 94 with just one delivery remaining to complete a perfect tournament in which they won all five of their matches.

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The victory also secured Nigeria their qualification place at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027 in Bangladesh and Nepal, where they will join South Africa as the continent’s representatives.

Uganda finished third after defeating Rwanda by seven wickets, hosts Tanzania secured fifth position with a 29-run victory over Kenya, while Namibia defeated Malawi by nine wickets to finish seventh.

Nigeria hold their nerve

Nigeria held their nerve in a tense, low scoring final to defeat Zimbabwe by four runs and complete an unbeaten run through the tournament.

Batting first at the ESTIM Ground, Nigeria were made to work for every run by a disciplined Zimbabwe attack.

Captain Christabel Chukwuonye provided an important late contribution of 21 from 19 deliveries, while Beauty Oguai made 19 from 35 and Jessica Bieni contributed 15 from 25. Deborah Bassey added a valuable unbeaten 10 from just four balls as Nigeria closed on 98 for six from their 20 overs.

The victory also secured Nigeria their qualification place at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027 in Bangladesh and Nepal, where they will join South Africa as the continent’s representatives. Pics: ICC

Christina Mutasa was Zimbabwe’s leading bowler with two for 11 from four overs, including a maiden, while Tadiwanashe Garutsa conceded only eight runs from her four overs and claimed one wicket.

Zimbabwe’s pursuit began positively through Nicolette Nyika, who made 18, and Christina Mutasa, who contributed 13, but Nigeria struck repeatedly to reduce them to 38 for five.

Bethel Zinyama and Salem Museka then revived Zimbabwe’s hopes with a crucial 47 run sixth wicket partnership. Zinyama made 21 from 31 deliveries, while Museka kept the chase alive with 27 from 32.

With the pressure increasing in the closing overs, Nigeria found the breakthroughs they needed. Peace Usen led the attack with three for 19, while Jennifer Godwin claimed two for 11 and Annointed Akhigbe took two for 15.

Zimbabwe entered the final stages within touching distance of the target, but Nigeria remained composed and dismissed them for 94 in 19.5 overs to clinch a four-run victory and the championship.

An emotional Nigeria captain Christabel Chukwuonye praised her teammates for remaining united and composed throughout the competition.

“I actually cried when the game was over because I could not really express what I was feeling. The next phase is just the beginning and we know it will be tougher. My team has really been the best. They listened to the coaches, stayed united and, even with the pressure in the last over, they were able to hold their nerves. I wouldn’t be here holding this trophy without the support of the coaching crew and my players. I am very grateful to all of them.”

Nigeria’s victory brought an exceptional campaign to a close, having defeated Uganda, Malawi and Tanzania in the group stage before overcoming Rwanda in the semi-final and Zimbabwe in the final.

Uganda secure third place

Uganda secured third position with a seven-wicket victory over Rwanda in the morning fixture at the ESTIM Ground.

Rwanda posted 73 for nine from their 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Fanny Utagushimaninde top-scored with 21 from 19 deliveries, while Christella Uwambajimana made 10 and Justine Ingabire finished unbeaten on nine.

Sheirah Namagoba was outstanding for Uganda, returning three for just five runs from four overs, including a maiden, while Blessing Apio claimed two for 11.

Uganda secured third position with a seven-wicket victory over Rwanda

Uganda were then reduced to 14 for three during their chase before Mary Namiiro and Sarah Tino completely changed the course of the match.

Namiiro struck an unbeaten 38 from 33 deliveries, while Tino provided valuable support with 20 not out from 38. Their unbroken 60 run partnership carried Uganda to 74 for three in 16.1 overs.

Namiiro was named Player of the Match as Uganda ended their campaign in third place, with Rwanda finishing fourth.

Tanzania end campaign on a winning note

Hosts Tanzania ended their campaign on a winning note with a 29-run victory over Kenya in the fifth place playoff at the NTS Ground.

After losing an early wicket, Rebeca Martin and Lightness Eladius rebuilt the Tanzanian innings. Martin top-scored with 37 from 54 deliveries, striking four boundaries, while Eladius contributed 32 from 42 balls.

Their efforts helped Tanzania recover to 106 for five from their 20 overs. Melvin Khagoitsa was the pick of Kenya’s bowlers with two for nine from four overs.

Hosts Tanzania ended their campaign on a winning note with a 29-run victory over Kenya in the fifth place playoff

Dorice Helment then produced one of the finest bowling displays of the tournament.

Helment tore through the Kenyan batting order to finish with outstanding figures of five for eight from four overs. Rahima Yahaya added two for 13, while Maria Massawe and Sabrina Jaffu also claimed wickets.

Nancy Wafula led Kenya with 21, while Nezarine Oluoch made 13 and Zainab Hamisi 11, but Kenya were dismissed for 77 in 19 overs.

Helment was named Player of the Match as Tanzania secured fifth position with a 29-run victory.

Namibia down Malawi to finish 7th

Lelly Khumus produced a five-wicket haul as Namibia completed their tournament with a nine-wicket victory over Malawi in the seventh place playoff at the NTS Ground.

Malawi struggled against a disciplined Namibian attack and were dismissed for 38 in 12.2 overs. Shavoni Akileni top-scored with eight, while Angela Lumbe and Rachel Zamapemba contributed five each.

Khumus returned exceptional figures of five for nine from four overs, including a maiden, while Monique Muller picked up two wickets.

Namibia quickly completed the chase, reaching 39 for one in just 5.1 overs. Unombuiro Kaanjosa finished unbeaten on 17, while Jani-Mari van Heerden contributed 15.

Lelly Khumus produced a five-wicket haul as Namibia completed their tournament with a nine-wicket victory over Malawi in the seventh place playoff

Khumus was named Player of the Match as Namibia secured seventh position, with Malawi finishing eighth.

Player of the Tournament: Sarah Tino, Uganda

Uganda’s Sarah Tino was named Player of the Tournament after an outstanding campaign in which she consistently influenced matches with the ball. Tino finished with 12 wickets from five matches, joint highest in the tournament, conceding only 76 runs from 20 overs. Her figures included four maidens, 86 dot balls, an economy rate of 3.80, a bowling average of 6.33 and best figures of 5/13.

She was named Player of the Match twice during the competition and also made an important unbeaten 20 in Uganda’s third place victory over Rwanda. Tino finished first in the tournament’s overall player rankings with 775 points, underlining her impact throughout Uganda’s campaign.

Best Bowler: Dorice Helment, Tanzania

Tanzania’s Dorice Helment was named Best Bowler after finishing the tournament with 12 wickets from five matches. Helment conceded just 62 runs from 15.1 overs, finishing with an exceptional bowling average of 5.17, a strike rate of 7.6 and an economy rate of 4.09. She saved her best performance for the final day, taking a tournament best 5/8 against Kenya, a spell which helped Tanzania secure fifth position.

Best Batter: Omosigho Eguakun, Nigeria

Nigeria’s Omosigho Eguakun finished as the tournament’s leading run scorer and was named Best Batter. Eguakun accumulated 139 runs from five innings, with an average of 34.75, a strike rate of 104.51 and a highest score of 50. Her consistency at the top of the order played an important role in Nigeria’s unbeaten run to the title.

Brief scores (final): Nigeria 98/6 in 20 overs (Christabel Chukwuonye 21, Beauty Oguai 19, Jessica Bieni 15; Christina Mutasa 2/11, Tadiwanashe Garutsa 1/8) beat Zimbabwe 94 in 19.5 overs (Salem Museka 27, Bethel Zinyama 21, Nicolette Nyika 18; Peace Usen 3/19, Jennifer Godwin 2/11, Annointed Akhigbe 2/15).

Third place playoff: Rwanda 73/9 in 20 overs (Fanny Utagushimaninde 21, Christella Uwambajimana 10, Justine Ingabire 9 not out; Sheirah Namagoba 3/5, Blessing Apio 2/11, Sarah Tino 1/23) lost to Uganda 74/3 in 16.1 overs (Mary Namiiro 38 not out, Sarah Tino 20 not out; Ruth Uwimana 2/15, Justine Ingabire 1/18).

Fifth place playoff: Tanzania 106/5 in 20 overs (Rebeca Martin 37, Lightness Eladius 32, Saumu Hussein 9; Melvin Khagoitsa 2/9, Janet Nthenya 1/19) beat Kenya 77 all out in 19 overs ((Nancy Wafula 21, Nezarine Oluoch 13, Zainab Hamisi 11; Dorice Helment 5/8, Rahima Yahaya 2/13, Maria Massawe 1/15).

Seventh place playoff: Malawi 38 in 12.2 overs (Shavoni Akileni 8, Angela Lumbe 5, Rachel Zamapemba 5; Lelly Khumus 5/9, Monique Muller 2/16, Mea Meyer 1/7) lost to Namibia 39/1 in 5.1 overs (Unombuiro Kaanjosa 17 not out, Jani-Mari van Heerden 15, Namutenya Thomas 5 not out).