Following the Division 2 fixtures of the Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, it’s now time for Division 1, where the winner will advance to the 2025 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for early next year in Malaysia. From squads and schedule to format and broadcasting details, here’s everything you need to know about the Division 1 Africa Qualifier.
The inaugural Africa Qualifier for this event was held in September 2022 in Botswana determined the team that would directly advance to the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Eight teams competed across two groups: Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, and Sierra Leone in Group 1, and Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Malawi in Group 2. Uganda and Tanzania topped their groups, advancing unbeaten to the playoffs. In the semifinals, Tanzania overcame Namibia, while Rwanda stunned Uganda. Rwanda then capped off their remarkable run by defeating the unbeaten Tanzania, securing their place in the 2023 U19 Women’s World Cup.
For the 2024 edition, the International Cricket Council (ICC) expanded the qualification process, increasing team participation from 8 to 14 by introducing a two-stage format. The first stage, Division 2, took place from August 21 to 27, with Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, and Mozambique in Group A, and Eswatini, Ghana, Malawi, and Sierra Leone in Group B. Division 2 finalists Malawi and Kenya secured their spots in Division 1, where they will now compete alongside Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe for a place in the 2025 U19 Women’s World Cup.
Format:
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing the others once in the league stage. Based on their rankings, the top four teams will advance to the semifinals, while the bottom four will compete in the 5th and 7th place playoffs. The winners of the semifinals will face off in the Final, while the losers will meet for a 3rd place playoff.
Squads:
Rwanda – Utagushimaninde Fanny, Uwase Niyorukundo, Niyomuhoza Shakila, Ufitinema Liliane, Shimwamana Rosette, Izabayo Sandrine, Umutoni Chanceline, Mugwaneza Grace, Umuringa Sonia, Uwizeye Devota, Mukamusoni Anifa, Uwimana Ruth, Nzayituriki Nadine, Umukundwa Nasira
Uganda – Malisa Ariokot, Lona Anyaita, Patricia Fiona Timong, Jimia Muhamed, Mischelle Ariago, Immaculate Nandera, Asumin Akurut, Jane Naume Amongin, Barbra Nanyanzi, Aganes Nakakande, Shadia Nabulime, Rashidah Tikabula, Irene Mutonyi, Mary Patricia Apolot
Zimbabwe – Kelis Ndhlovu, Christina Mutasa, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Chipo Moyo, Olinder Chare, Melinda Kachingwe, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Beloved Biza, Passionate Munorwei, Kudzai Chigora, Buhlebenkosi Maposa, Diveniah Ndhlalambi, Tawananyasha Valour, Nokutenda Makanhiwa
Namibia – Alice Cleopatra, Rianie Esterhuyzen, Keira Lesch, Keira Schoeman, Sela Tuuva Shiimi, Monique Laas, Sonja Jane Siepker, Mekelaye Mwatile, Engela Van Der Merwe, Hileni Panduleni David, Namutenya Thomas, Veronika Tobias, Leigh-marie Visser, Unombuiro Kaanjosa
Nigeria – Peculiar Agboya, Piety Lucky, Shola Adekunle, Christabel Nmesoma, Peace Usen, Lilian Ude, Naomi Memeh, Victory Igbinedion, Anointed Akhigbe, Kehinde Amusa, Omosigho Eguakun, Inyene Ubong, Deborah Bassey, Beauty Ehimen Oguai
Malawi – Alinafe Alfonso, Euless Chilarile, Febbe Malefula, Sophina Chinawa, Ketrina Chingaipe, Faith Khofi, Lucy Malino, Christina Bwanali, Angela Lumbe, Frolance Nkhoma, Mercy Kudimba, Evah Kabwere, Lucy Bigula, Esther Richard
Kenya – Melvin Khagoitsa, Tania Atieno, Janet Nthenya, Zainabu Hamsi, Stella Rodgers, Rael Kaibunga, Kreeshna Mehta, Ayaana Gupta, Roshele Atamba, Marion Jacinta, Nezarine Oluoch, Awe Wambua, Mary Atieno, Miriam Idagiza
Tanzania – Agnes Joseph Qwele, Jenipher Kimari, Mwanaidi Athumani, Saumu Deo Hussein, Rebeka Ezekiel, Lightness Elisha, Maria Massawe, Joan Elisha, Adolphina Sylvester, Englind Omurama, Josephine Shirima, Farid Kinyumbi, Rahima Kibwana, Zakia Ally Bewe
Schedule:
| DATE | MATCHES | VENUE | TIME (LOCAL) |
22-Sep-24 |
Kenya v Rwanda | Gahanga B Ground | 9:30 AM |
| Malawi v Zimbabwe | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 9:30 AM | |
| Namibia v Uganda | Gahanga B Ground | 1:50 PM | |
| Tanzania v Nigeria | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 1:50 PM | |
23-Sep-24 |
Tanzania v Malawi | Gahanga B Ground | 9:30 AM |
| Uganda v Kenya | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 9:30 AM | |
| Nigeria v Zimbabwe | Gahanga B Ground | 1:50 PM | |
| Rwanda v Namibia | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 1:50 PM | |
25-Sep-24 |
Nigeria v Malawi | Gahanga B Ground | 9:30 AM |
| Kenya v Namibia | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 9:30 AM | |
| Zimbabwe v Tanzania | Gahanga B Ground | 1:50 PM | |
| Rwanda v Uganda | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 1:50 PM | |
26-Sep-24 |
5th place playoff | Gahanga B Ground | 1:50 PM |
| 7th place playoff | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 1:50 PM | |
28-Sep-24 |
Semi-Final 1 | Gahanga B Ground | 1:50 PM |
| Semi-Final 2 | Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Ground | 1:50 PM | |
29-Sep-24 |
3rd place playoff | Gahanga B Ground | 9:30 AM |
| Final | Gahanga B Ground | 1:50 PM |
Broadcast:
All games of the tournament will be live streamed on ICC.tv.