· Namibia through the gold match after victory over Uganda this morning
· Zimbabwe bat first in second semi-final against Kenya this afternoon
· Veteran Collins Obuya looking to spur Kenyans on to gold in Accra
On Match Day Three of the inaugural men’s cricket competition at the 13th edition of the African Games in Accra, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Namibia emerged as the final contenders in pursuit of glory.
Uganda and Zimbabwe soared with impeccable performances, finishing atop Group A and Group B, respectively, with flawless records, each securing victories in all three matches.
Kenya also demonstrated prowess with two wins against South Africa and Ghana, while Namibia showcased a late resurgence. Their sole victory in the group stage – a commanding 7-wicket triumph over Tanzania – propelled them into the semifinals, clinching their spot through Net Run Rate (NRR).
Uganda prevail in close encounter
Uganda commenced their campaign by dominating Kenya in the East African derby, claiming victory by 72 runs. They followed this with a commanding performance against Ghana, triumphing by 121 runs. The climax of their group stage campaign came when captain Brian Masaba, displaying nerves of steel, smashed a crucial six off the final ball, securing a narrow 2-wicket win over South Africa in a low-scoring thriller.
Masaba’s heroics didn’t start there, he had launched a six to the deep square leg boundary off the first ball of Aphiwe Yako’s final over, with Uganda needing 13 runs to win.
The bowlers, led by paceman Bilal Hassun (4 for 10) and slow left-arm orthodox bowler Alpesh Ramjani (3 for 9), showcased their prowess, limiting the young South Africans to 95 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Despite a resilient knock of 44 runs from George Van Heerden, South Africa struggled to build momentum. In their pursuit of the modest target, Uganda faced setbacks, notably losing Man of the Match Roger Mukasa for 41 off 54 balls at 83 for 8 in 18.2 overs. However Masaba emerged as Captain Fantastic as he displayed remarkable composure to seal victory for Uganda with a lusty hit to ensure Uganda finished atop Group A with an unblemished record of six points.
Zimbabwe in excellent form
The Chevrons started their campaign with a commanding 35-run victory over Namibia in a high-scoring T20 blitz, amassing a total of 359 runs. They continued their winning streak by overcoming Tanzania by 6 wickets in a low-scoring match, showcasing their resilience. In their final match, Zimbabwe displayed their dominance with a flawless performance, demolishing Nigeria by 10 wickets.
Spinner Owen Mzondo led the destruction, claiming three wickets for 11 runs in his four-over spell as Nigeria collapsed for 88 runs after choosing to bat first. Trevor Gwandu complemented the attack with two wickets for 10 runs, restricting Nigeria’s scoring opportunities. Despite a brief resistance from Vincent Adewoye (19*) and Isaac Danladi (15*), Zimbabwe’s bowlers maintained control.
In the chase, Zimbabwe’s openers, Tadiwanashe Marumani (47*) and Rodney Mupfudza (39*), showcased simplicity and composure, guiding their team to a comfortable victory. They reached 91 runs without losing a wicket in 16 overs, securing the win with 24 balls to spare.
Kenya exude class
Kenya commenced Match Day Three with a reliance on their East African counterparts, Uganda, who secured a crucial victory against South Africa by 2 wickets. They faced a pivotal afternoon clash against the well-supported host nation.
Ghana’s skipper Obed Harvey (33), and the powerful Rexford Bakum (23), posed a threat as they reached 92 for 2 in 13 overs. However, once both batsmen were dismissed, the rest of the Ghanaian lineup struggled against the spinning duo of experienced captain Rakep Patel (3 for 12) and teenager Aarnav Patel (3 for 22), leading to Ghana’s collapse at 111 all out in 18.3 overs.
In Kenya’s chase, the spotlight fell on the 42-year-old Collins Obuya, whose blistering 30-ball knock of 68 runs justified further his enduring skill and determination. It marked his ninth career T20I half-century as Kenya cruised to a comfortable 7-wicket victory in just 11.1 overs, with 53 balls to spare.
Namibia’s commendable effort
With no victories secured and captain Jan Nicol Loftie Eaton absent on Day Three, Namibia seemed poised to exit the tournamant. However, they rallied themselves admirably against daunting odds. Despite losing the toss, stand-in skipper Malan Kruger’s team found themselves in a favourable position after Tanzania elected to bat first.
Ben Shikongo led the charge with a superb new-ball spell, claiming two wickets for 9 runs in 4 overs, while Handre Klazinge provided valuable support with figures of two for 15. Tanzania stumbled to 28 for 7 before limping to a total of 71 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Wicketkeeper Jean Pierre Kotze then seized control of the chase with an unbeaten 21 runs from 22 balls, guiding his team to victory in quick time – completing the task in just 12.3 overs, with 45 balls remaining.
Kotze’s innings, supported by contributions from Gerhard Johannes Janse van Rensburg (19) and Kruger (14), propelled the Richelieu Eagles to not only equal Tanzania and Nigeria’s points tally of two but also surpass them with a superior NRR of 0.195. This secured Namibia’s second-place finish in Group B and their progression to the semifinals.
Sizzling semifinals on card
Namibia’s resilience saw them book their spot in Saturday’s final with a 24-run victory over the Cricket Cranes this morning. Zimbabwe bat first as they take on Kenya this afternoon.
SCORES IN BRIEF – DAY THREE:
Game 9 – Uganda v South Africa
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first
South Africa 95 for 9 in 20 overs
(GV Heerden 44, A Yako 18; B Hassun four for 10, A Ramjani three for 9)
Uganda 99 for 8 in 20 overs
(RG Mukasa 41, BM Masaba 14*; JR Raubenheimer two for 20, L Botha two for 15)
Uganda won by 2 wickets
Game 10 – Ghana v Kenya
Ghana won the toss and elected to bat first
Ghana 111 all out in 18.3 overs
(O Harvey 33, R Bakum 23; R Patel three for 12, A Patel three for 22)
Kenya 115 for 3 in 11.1 overs
(C Obuya 68, S Singh 19; R Baaleri three for 55)
Kenya won by 7 wickets (with 53 balls remaining)
Game 11 – Zimbabwe v Nigeria
Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat first
Nigeria 88 all out in 17.4 overs
(V Adewoye 19*, I Danladi 15; O Mzondo three for 11, T Gwandu two for 10)
Zimbabwe 91 for no loss in 16 overs
(T Marumani 47*, R Mupfudza 39*; I Okpe zero for 15)
Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets (with 24 balls remaining)
Game 12 – Namibia v Tanzania
Tanzania won the toss and elected to bat first
Tanzania 71 for 9 in 20 overs
(S Thakor 15, KN Chete 13, A Kimote 12*; B Shikongo two for 9, H Klazinge two for 15)
Namibia 72 for 3 in 12.3 overs
(JP Kotze 21*, G Rensburg 19, M Kruger 14; A Kimote two for 20, S Thakor one for 17)
Namibia won by 7 wickets (with 45 balls remaining)
Match Day 4 – Thursday 21st March
09:00 – Semifinal 1:
Uganda vs. Namibia, Achimota A
13:15 – Semifinal 2:
Zimbabwe vs Kenya, Achimota A
Points Table – Group A
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | NRR |
| Uganda | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3.283 |
| Kenya | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1.049 |
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| Ghana | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -5.888 |
Points Table – Group B
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | NRR |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.600 |
| Namibia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.195 |
| Tanzania | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.220 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.158 |
THE SQUADS
GHANA
Obed Harvey (captain), Godfred Bakiweyem, Daniel Kwabena Anefie, Kofi Bagabena, Richmond Baaleri, Philip Yevugah, Alex Osei, Aqeel Syed Israr, Devender Malik Singh, Rexford Bakum, Kelvin Marko Awala, Joseph Kwame Theodore, James Kwaku Vifah, Michael Aboagye, Lee Nyarko
KENYA
Rakep Patel (captain), Vraj Patel, Sukhdeep Singh, Francis Mutua, Collins Obuya, Lucas Ndandason Oluoch, Neil Mugabe, Nelson Odhiambo, Shem Ngoche, Aarnav Patel, Gurdeep Singh, Emmanuel Ringera Bundi, Gerard Muthui, Pushkar Sharma, Vishil Patel
NAMIBIA
Jean Pierre Kotzé, Jack Thomas Brassell, Nikolaas Jakobus Davin, Gerhard Johannes Janse van Rensburg, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Dylan Otto Leicher, Simon Petrus S Shikongo, Ben Sett N Shikongo, Addo Iita, Jan Coenraad Balt, Morris Gerhardt Kariata, Handre Klazinga, Shaun Fouche, PD Blignaut, Malan Kruger (captain)
NIGERIA
Joseph Adedeji, Peter Aho, Daniel Ajeku, Akhere Isesele, Abdulmumuni Mohammed, Isaac Okpe, Sylvester Okpe (captain), Ridwan Kareem, Sulaimon Runsewe, Solomon Chilemanya, Emmanuel Udekwe, Prosper Useni, Isaac Danladi, Joshua Asia, Vincent Adewoye
SOUTH AFRICA
Heinrigh Wilhelm Pieterse, Jesse Caleb Prodehl, Lifa Shinga Ntanzi, Maahir Joseph, Lwando Tywaku, Minenhle Ntobela, Ethan Patrick Frösler, Lehan Botha, Jan Hendrik Coetzer, Nathan Tyrone Roux, George van Heerden (Captain), Jason Rick Raubenheimer, Aphiwe Yako, Dylan Bester, Orapeleng Motlhoaring
TANZANIA
Ivan Ismail Selemani, Salum Jumbe Ally (Captain), Kassim Nassoro Chete, Johnson John Nyambo, Ally Mpeka Kimote, Yalinde Maurice Nkanya, Mohamed Yunusi Sefu, Jumanne Mohamed Mussa, Sanjaykumar Arvindabhai Thakor, Zamoyoni Jabeneke, Mohamed Omari Kitunda, Abdallah Juma Jabiri, Mohamed Simba Mbaki, Sefu Athuman Mokiwa
UGANDA
Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Dineshkumar Maganlal Nakrani, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ravilal Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Brian Mark Masaba (Captain), Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Ronald Lutaaya, Cyrus Nshekanabo Kakuru (Wk), Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta, Fred Achelam (Wk)
ZIMBABWE
Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Falao Alex, Tony Munyonga, Nick Welch, Jonathan Campbell, Owen Mzondo, Takudzwa Chataira, Trevor Gwandu, Ashley Mufandauya, Wallace Mubaiwa, Tashinga Musekiwa, Kudakwashe Macheka, Rodney Mupfudza, Clive Madande (captain)
