It was a thrilling day across the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Division Two Qualifier 2025, where batters dug deep, bowlers roared, and teams showed grit under pressure. From low-scoring thrillers to dominant all-round displays, the four fixtures offered a complete spectacle of determination, skill, and rising talent on the field.
Rwanda held their nerve to defend a modest total, while Mozambique edged past Lesotho in a tightly contested battle. Sierra Leone flexed their depth with a composed chase, and Cameroon delivered a statement win with sheer dominance.
Match 5th Place Playoff: Cameroon women vs Eswatini Women
Cameroon Women put on a dominant all-round display to crush Eswatini Women by a massive 140 runs, registering one of the most one-sided victories of the tournament so far.
Batting first, Cameroon posted a strong total of 177/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to a commanding knock from skipper Madaleine Sissako, who led from the front with a fluent 57 off 54 balls. Though Jeanne Ngono departed early for 2, the innings was stabilised by Bernadette Mbida’s quickfire 30 off 22 and Brenda Waluma’s 11. Towards the end, Marguerite Bessala played a vital finishing role, smashing 32* off just 23 balls, while Cathy Mbelel added a steady 8* to close out a strong innings. For Eswatini, Nkosingiphile Mamba (2/29) and Mbali Dlamini (2/31) managed to take wickets but struggled to contain the run flow on a batting-friendly surface.
In response, Eswatini’s chase never got off the ground. Cameroon’s bowling attack was relentless, reducing the top and middle order to rubble. Ntombizodwa Mkhatshwa (6), Lihle Shabalala (3), and captain Mbali Dlamini (13) were the only ones to cross five runs. The rest, including Zinhle Shabalala (0), Nothando Mabila (2), and Nkosingiphile Mamba (0), fell cheaply as Eswatini were bundled out for just 37 runs in 17.1 overs. Cameroon’s bowlers were clinical; Edwige Guehoada was unplayable, returning extraordinary figures of 4/1, while Olive Ranedoumoun picked up 3/16.
Match 1st Semi-Final: Rwanda Women vs Botswana Women
In a match where bowlers ruled, Rwanda Women held their nerve to pull off a brilliant 35-run win over Botswana Women, defending a modest total of 99.
Opting to bat first, Rwanda found runs hard to come by on a testing surface. They lost early wickets, including captain Marie Bimenyimana (7) and Merveille Uwase (6). However, opener Gisele Ishimwe showed composure, anchoring the innings with 24 off 32 balls, while Henriette Ishimwe chipped in with a brisk 18 off 20. Despite a middle-order collapse, Rosette Shimwamana’s 12* off 13 gave the innings a much-needed finish as Rwanda scraped to 99/9 in 20 overs. Botswana’s bowlers were impressive throughout, with Goitseone Setshwane leading the charge with 3/17, while Tuelo Shadrack (2/13) and Pako Mapotsane (2/15) kept the pressure on.
In reply, Botswana had a steady start led by Laura Mophakedi, who top-scored with a patient 31 off 56 balls. But her efforts lacked support from the other end, as the batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Oratile Kgeresi (3) and Goabilwe Matome (2) fell cheaply, and although Amantle Mokgotlhe contributed 10 runs, the rest of the batting order collapsed for single digits. Eventually, Botswana were restricted to 64/9, falling well short of the target. Rwanda’s Alice Ikuzwe was the pick of the bowling, with 3/16, while all-rounder Henriette Ishimwe added to her earlier runs with a tidy 2/8, and Rosine Irera also claimed 2/13.
Match 5th Place Playoff: Lesotho Women vs Mozambique Women
Mozambique Women edged past Lesotho Women by 3 wickets in a tense chase, sealing victory in the 17th over of a low-scoring thriller.
Batting first, Lesotho posted 100/8 in their 20 overs. Despite a few promising starts, their innings never quite gained momentum. Kananelo Molapo top-scored with 17, while captain Maneo Nyabela added a steady 19 off 25 balls. The rest of the top and middle order faltered, with Tshepang Khabo (1), Boitumelo Tlali (4), and Paballo Pheko (8) all dismissed cheaply. Mozambique’s bowling attack-maintained discipline throughout, with Olga Matsolo (1/11) and Amelia Mundundo (1/12) applying pressure early on. Olga Mondlane (1/22) and Palmira Cuinica (1/17) chipped in with timely breakthroughs to keep Lesotho in check.
Chasing 101, Mozambique’s reply got off to a wobbly start. Olga Mondlane was dismissed for 6, followed by quick exits of Cristina Magaia (2), Isabel Chuma (6), and Palmira Cuinica (0). Amelia Mundundo scored 17, but the game hung in the balance. But a calm and calculated partnership between Wisley Bucuane (18* off 16) and Rosalia Haiong (18* off 13) saw Mozambique home with 3 wickets in hand and 20 balls to spare, ending at 101/7 in 16.4 overs. Lesotho bowlers fought hard to defend the modest total. Captain Maneo Nyabela led from the front with a tidy spell of 2/21, supported well by Boitumelo Phelenyane (2/27) and Ret’sepile Limema (1/17).
Match 2nd Semi-Final: Malawi Women vs Sierra Leone Women
Sierra Leone Women clinched a commanding 6-wicket victory over Malawi Women, successfully chasing down a target of 101 with 28 balls to spare.
Batting first, Malawi posted a modest total of 100/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings got off to a shaky start as skipper Lidia Dimba was dismissed early for just 1 run. Angela Lumbe steadied the innings briefly with a composed 19 off 31, while Lucy Bigula (6) and Sugeni Kananji (2) couldn’t make an impact. The middle-order saw some resistance with Praise Maziya contributing 21 off 33 and Sophina Chinawa adding 15 runs. The highlight of the innings came from Febbe Malefula, who played a late flourish with a 27* off just 18 balls, helping Malawi reach triple figures. Sierra Leone’s bowling attack was sharp and disciplined. Captain Aminata Kamara led by example with a brilliant spell of 3/14, while Celina Bull supported well, picking up 2 wickets for 27 runs in her 3 overs.
In reply, Sierra Leone got off to a solid start. Openers Emma Kamara (17 off 15) and skipper Aminata Kamara (31 off 26) laid a strong foundation. Marie Turay then anchored the chase with a steady 32 off 36 balls. Despite a few late wickets, the target was comfortably reached in 15.2 overs, finishing at 101/4. Malawi bowlers tried to put up a fight, with Christina Bwanali (1/10), Praise Maziya (1/20), and Lidia Dimba (1/33) each taking a wicket, but the total was never enough to truly trouble the Sierra Leone batters.
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