Nigeria’s Yellow Greens showed class in the female cricket event of the 13th African Games after recording victories over Tanzania and Namibia to top Group A.
The Yellow Greens displayed exceptional form as the only undefeated team in Group A and sit top with three points.
Rising Nigerian talent, Peace Usen, and the determined pacer, Lilian Udeh, each secured a wicket, limiting Tanzania to 14 runs for two wickets. This stellar performance by the Female Yellow Greens aimed at redemption following their recent losses to Tanzania in the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s Invitational T20 tournament just last week.
During the Tanzanian innings, captain Neema Justine Pius (16) and the unbeaten Hudaa Omary Mrisho (18 runs) led the rebuilding effort. However, an unexpected downpour disrupted what had promised to be a thrilling showdown between these emerging rivals.
On Match Day Two the Female Yellow Greens, who had never secured a victory against the Capricorn Eagles in four previous meetings, played with the confidence of favourites. They recovered from a challenging position at 47 for 4 in 10 overs to set a competitive total of 111 for 6, with Salome Sunday’s industrious 36-ball 40 and an additional 24 runs gifted in extras by the Namibians.
The dynamic pace duo of Peculiar Agboya and Udeh applied pressure on the Namibian top order, while Usen added to their batting struggles with a remarkable spell, claiming three wickets for just 5 runs in 4 overs, including two maidens. This exceptional performance bundled Namibia out for 56 inside 19 overs, securing a historic 55-run triumph for the Female Yellow Greens.
After two matchdays of women’s cricket at the African Games, in its 13th edition in Accra, every conceivable scenario has unfolded. The spectrum of events ranges from brilliant individual performances to stunning victories and dominant displays, blending the anticipated with the unexpected.
In the opening match held at Achimota A, Namibia set South Africa a target of 89 runs, propelled by Wilka Mwatile’s aggressive innings of 37 off 41 that featured four boundaries and one six, laying the foundation for a competitive total.
In the rain-shortened chase reduced to 10 overs, South Africa faced a revised DLS target of 52. However, the Proteas Women struggled on a challenging two-paced wicket, collapsing to 11 for four wickets in the fourth over. Despite Miane Smit’s efforts (12*), it proved too late as the favourites found themselves stranded at 29 for 4 before rain ended proceedings.
With no further play possible, the Capricorn Eagles’ dugout erupted in celebration as match officials confirmed Namibia’s historic one-run victory over the Proteas Women.
South Africa, however, swiftly put the disappointment behind them on day two, delivering a clinical performance to remind their rivals of their potential.
Captain Nondumiso Shangase led from the front with a five-wicket haul as Tanzania folded meekly for 66. Although Annerie Dercksen fell early for 1, there was never any doubt in the chase, with Faye Tunnicliffe (29*) and Jemma Botha (28) cruising to victory in 10.2 overs. Captain Shangase (4 off 5) scored the winning runs with 58 balls remaining.
Zimbabwe started well in Accra claiming back to back victories over East African opponents Rwanda and Uganda. Both their triumphs have been achieved with just two balls remaining in each match.
On day one Rwanda posted a commendable 73 for 7 in the shortened 14-over duel. Their performance in the field was tainted by crucial dropped catches, costing them dearly.
Lapses in concentration, particularly two missed opportunities to dismiss match-winners, proved to be the difference. Rosine Irera missed a chance to catch Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda (16*) in the covers when she was on two, with the required run rate at 7.7. Rwanda captain Diane Marie Bimenyimana also failed to capitalise on a skied chance from Modester Mupachikwa (38) in the penultimate over bowled by Belise Murekatete, resulting in a costly seven-run setback.
Despite Mupachikwa’s eventual run-out in the last over, Musonda dispatched the fourth ball of the error-filled final over from Bimenyimana to the sight screen for a boundary to seal a 7-wicket victory for the Lady Chevrons.
On Day Two, Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Josephine Nkomo (three for 9), once again shone as they restricted Uganda to 72. While Sharne Mary Mayers (19) and Modester Mupachikwa (15) spent time in the middle, their dismissals gave Uganda hope. However, Chiedza Dhururu (10*) and Loreen Tshuma (5*) saw the Zimbabweans home in 19.4 overs.
After the elation of securing victories on day one, both Uganda and Namibia were humbled on day two.
Uganda triumphed in an engaging East African derby against Kenya, winning by 6 wickets in a low-scoring encounter.
The Victoria Pearls limited their neighbours to a modest total of 63 runs in the 17-over game, with Immaculate Nakisuuyi claiming two wickets and executing a direct hit run-out to dismiss the dangerous Vennasa Ooko (9 off 20).
Kenya stayed in the game by effecting two run-outs as Uganda slipped to 14 for 2. But opening batter Gloria Obukor played a pivotal role, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 29* off 48 deliveries and then Rita Musamali (10* off 6) provided the finishing touch with two balls left, just as the Kenyan dugout began to entertain thoughts of an upset.
Similarly, Namibia, reveling in a surprising victory over South Africa on day one, faced a reality check on day two, suffering a painful 7-wicket loss to Nigeria. While things clicked for the West Africans with two superb catches and two direct run-out hits, Namibia were left ruing their dismal bowling performance that conceded 24 runs in extras.
For Rwanda, back-to-back losses to Zimbabwe and Kenya eliminated them from contention for a medal. A seemingly ‘weakened’ Kenya authoritatively overcame Rwanda by 7 wickets. Led by their captain Esther Wangare Wachira (42* & one for 11), Jemimah Sila Ndanu (three for 21), vice-captain Melvin Khagoitsa (two for 7), and Venasa Adhiambo Ooko, Kenya bundled out Rwanda for 69 and chased it down in 17 overs to stay alive in the competition.