Nigeria, led by skipper Christabel Chukwuonye, were up against Uganda, led by skipper Mohammed Jimia, in the 1st game; Kenya, led by skipper Melvin Khagoitsa, were up against Namibia, led by skipper Unombuiro Kaanjosa; Tanzania, led by skipper Saumu Hussein, were up against Malawi, led by skipper Favour Piliyesi; Zimbabwe, led by skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa were up against Rwanda, led by skipper Fanny Utagushimaninde on the opening day of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2026.
Match 1: Nigeria U19 Women vs Uganda U19 Women
The Uganda skipper, Mohammed Jimia, won the toss and opted to bat first. Remarkable consistency in line and length from the Nigerian bowlers restricted Uganda to just 59/7 in their quota of 20 overs. A 19-run 6th wicket stand between Rashidah Tikabula (4* off 20 balls) and Gilingish Nabulime (22 off 34 balls) was the highest partnership of the innings for Uganda. The wicket-keeper batter and skipper Mohammed Jimia (13 off 25 balls) was the only other batter to enter the double digits with the bat for Uganda.
Chisom Okpe (4-0-4-2), Usen Peace (4-0-12-2), Annointed Akhigbe (4-1-10-1), and Shola Adekunle (4-1-7-0) were exceptional with the ball for Nigeria.
Defending a low total, the Ugandan bowlers tried their best to take the game deep and make the Nigerian batters earn their runs. Nigeria eventually got over the line with 4 wickets in hand and 41 balls to spare. Omosigho Eguakun (24 off 29 balls) and skipper Christabel Chukwuonye (13 off 10 balls) top-scored with the bat for Nigeria. Sarah Tino (4-2-13-5) stood out with the ball for Uganda, while Irene Mutoni (4-0-17-0) and Mariam Biribawa (3-0-11-1) played their part with the ball for their side. Despite being on the losing side, Sarah Tino was awarded the Player of the Match.
Match 2: Kenya U19 Women vs Namibia U19 Women
Kenya posted a competitive total of 121/9 after skipper Melvin Khagoitsa won the toss and opted to bat first. A vital 46-run stand for the 9th wicket between Marion Jacinta (26 off 27 balls) and Roshele Atamba (16 off 21 balls) eventually proved to be decisive for Kenya. Melvin Khagoitsa (19 off 23 balls) and Nezarine Oluoch (10 off 12 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits with the bat for their side. Veronika Tobias (4-0-17-4), Vorster Alexa (4-0-17-1), Eviste Iiyambo (4-0-23-1) and Unombuiro Kaanjosa (4-0-22-1) were the top performers with the ball for Namibia.
Chasing a target of 122, Namibia were bundled out for 67, with 22 balls to spare, falling 54 runs short of the target. Eviste Iiyambo (15 off 33 balls), wicket-keeper batter Elly Kambonde (12 off 9 balls) and skipper Unombuiro Kaanjosa (10 off 13 balls) were the only batters to enter the double digits with the bat for Namibia.
Melvin Khagoitsa (4-2-5-4) and Janet Nthenya (3.2-0-10-4) were exceptional with the ball for Kenya. Stella Rodgers (4-0-12-1) and Marion Jacinta (4-0-19-0) played their part with the ball for their side. The Kenya skipper, Melvin Khagoitsa, was awarded the Player of the Match for her blockbuster all-round impact.
Match 3: Tanzania U19 Women vs Malawi U19 Women
The Tanzania skipper Saumu Hussein won the toss and opted to bat first. The Tanzanian top-order consisting of the likes of Nzela Magembe (28 off 36 balls), Rebeca Martin (24 off 26 balls), Rahima Kibwana (17 off 9 balls), skipper Saumu Hussein (20 off 27 balls) and Lightness Mganga (10 off 16 balls) guided them to a competitive total of 113/5 in their quota of 20 overs. Stella Kunje (2-0-16-2), Sphiwe Frank (4-0-15-1), Bridget Kasinja (4-0-13-1), and Wezzie Cheke (4-0-15-0) were the top performers with the ball for Malawi.
Chasing a target of 114, Malawi were bundled out for just 67, with 3 overs to spare, falling 46 runs short of the target. Skipper Favour Piliyesi (16 off 17 balls) was the only batter who showed some intent with the bat for Malawi. Maria Massawe (4-0-11-3), Sabrina Jaffu (4-0-15-3), Dorice Helmet (3-0-13-2) and Amina Kheri (3-0-12-0) were the top performers with the bat for Tanzania. Maria Massawe was awarded the Player of the Match.
Match 4: Zimbabwe U19 Women vs Rwanda U19 Women
Like most of the captains in the tournament, the Zimbabwe skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa won the toss and opted to bat first. The Zimbabwean batters capitalised on the opportunity to put the runs on the board by stitching substantial partnerships throughout the innings. The 50-run stand for the 2nd wicket between Beloved Biza (17 off 22 balls) and skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa not only stood out with the bat, but also laid a solid platform for a challenging total on the board. The Zimbabwean skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa (70 off 58 balls) registered an enterprising half-century. Christine Mutasa (16 off 9 balls) provided the impetus in the middle overs in the innings. Zimbabwe posted 139/7 in their quota of 20 overs.
Justine Ingabire (4-0-24-3), Chanceline Umutonni (4-0-21-1) and Ruth Uwimana (4-0-23-1) were the top performers with the ball for Rwanda. Chasing a stiff total of 140, the Rwandan batters succumbed to the scoreboard pressure, struggling to keep up with the required run rate. They were eventually bundled out for 88 with 4 balls to spare, falling 51 runs short of the target.
Deborah Uwase (23 off 21 balls) and skipper Fanny Utagushimaninde (18 off 14 balls) top-scored with the bat for Rwanda. Beloved Biza (4-0-14-4), Tadiwa Garutsa (4-1-12-3), Salem Museka (4-0-30-2) and Christine Mutasa (3-1-5-0) were impressive with the ball for Zimbabwe. The wicket-keeper batter and skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-defining half-century (70 off 58 balls) with the bat. Her knock included 9 boundaries.
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