The ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Kigali concluded on 29th September 2024. Nigeria led by skipper Lucky Piety booked their spot for the upcoming ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2025, which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Thailand.
It will be the 2nd edition of the tournament. India led by skipper Shafali Verma were crowned as the inaugural champions of the tournament, defeating England led by skipper Grace Scrivens in the final by seven wickets.
The final of the Africa Qualifiers between Zimbabwe and Nigeria was washed out, however, Nigeria progressed to book a spot in the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup next year courtesy of their unbeaten runs, including a victory against Zimbabwe earlier in the league stage of the tournament. A total of 8 teams, namely, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Malawi participated in the tournament.
Nigeria’s journey in the tournament:
The Lucky Piety-led side was the only team to remain unbeaten in Group B in the tournament and as a result, they topped the table in the league stages of the tournament. They defeated Rwanda led by skipper Niyomuhoza Shakila in the semi-final by a massive 62-run margin to book a spot in the final. The final was eventually washed out due to rain. However, they made it to the 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup courtesy of their superior head-to-head record, including their one-wicket victory against Zimbabwe, earlier in the league stage of the tournament.
Uganda’s journey in the tournament:
The Jimia Abdallah Muhammed-led side was the only team to remain unbeaten in Group A with three wins from three games in the league stages of the tournament. As a result, they finished at the top of the points table. However, they ended up on the losing side against Rwanda led by skipper Niyomuhoza Shakila by 3 wickets in the 3rd place match.
Zimbabwe’s journey in the tournament:
The Kelis Ndhlovu-led side finished 2nd on the points table with four points from three games including a couple of victories and a solitary defeat against Nigeria in the league stages of the tournament. They defeated Uganda led by skipper Jimia Abdallah Muhammed by 75 runs in the semi-final to progress to the final. However, they failed to progress to the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia and Thailand courtesy of a washed-out game, where they required only 78 for the win.
Kenya led by skipper Melvin Khagoitsa finished at the bottom of the points table in Group A. They were the only team to remain winless in the group. Malawi led by skipper Alinafe Alfonso also finished at the bottom of the points table in Group B. They were the only side to remain winless in the group.
Tanzania led by skipper Agnes Joseph Qwele finished 3rd on the points table in group B with two points including a solitary 6-wicket victory against Namibia. Namibia led by skipper Engela Estelle Van Der Merwe finished 3rd on the points table with 2 points including a solitary victory by 28 runs against Kenya in the league stages of the tournament.
