The journey to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh continues as Uganda opens her doors to host the Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier from 9 to 17 December.
For the first time, two spots are up for grabs from the Africa region as Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe look to book their place in the Global Qualifier taking place in the Dubai next year.
Group A includes tournament favourites, Zimbabwe, alongside Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, while Group B comprises Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.
Botswana announced themselves when they hosted the ICC Africa Division 2 Qualifier in September this year. They finished in second place, behind Kenya after beating Malawi and Lesotho in the preliminary round, followed by an inspired performance against Sierra Leone in the semi-finals to book their ticket to the regional qualifier in Uganda.
Kenya made their intentions known with an unbeaten run as they won the ICC Africa Division 2 Qualifier in Botswana earlier this year. They will look to add to their winning streak when they meet Zimbabwe in the tournament opener on the ninth.
Namibia have set themselves high targets, knowing that they are capable of qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers from their past experience in 2019. With the recent successes of their senior men’s team in qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, the Eagles will look to emulate that triumph in their own hunt for qualification glory.
Nigeria have amassed a large fan-following in spite of the fact that the majority of the fixtures they have played have been away from home. As a growing team, they will throw caution to the wind, playing their now trademark, fearless style of cricket as they take on Africa’s most promising names.
Rwanda will be one of the teams to look out for, with a squad that comprises a large number of their history-making women’s U19 squad which beat Zimbabwe and West Indies at the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa in January this year.
Tanzania aim to make history by qualifying for the Global Qualifiers for the first time. They prepared for the Africa Qualifiers in a quadrangular series played in Hong Kong, the game time from there, giving them confidence as they look to face Africa’s brightest up-and-coming stars.
Uganda will hope to make use of their home ground advantage as they also aim to reach the same heights as their men’s team, which recently qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies alongside Namibia. They have left no stone unturned in their preparation, scheduling two training camps in Eastern Uganda and Entebbe, where the event will be held.
Zimbabwe will open the final regional qualifying event of what has been a busy calendar year as favourites considering their history in this event. In preparation for the event, they come from a 17-day training camp at the “I Can We Can Cricket” Institute in Mumbai, India, followed by an unofficial T20 series against the South Africa Emerging Women, which they hosted at Harare Sports Club, narrowly losing 3-2.
Patricia Kambarami, ICC Regional Development Manager – Africa said: “It is an exciting time for women’s cricket in Africa. We are delighted by the growth in the number of teams involved in the pathway to this event this year.
“The expansion of the sport and increase in fan support on the continent is culminating in what will surely be a festival of cricket in Uganda over the next nine days.
“This tournament will show off Africa’s most promising talent, with two representatives moving onto the Global Qualifiers in Dubai next year. We look forward to a closely contested and entertaining tournament, where fresh talent will be discovered and celebrated.”
Participating squads:
Botswana: Laura Mophakedi (c, wk), Onneile Keitsemang, Oratile Kgeresi, Bontle Madimabe
(wk), Pako Mapotsane, Goabilwe Matome, Tebogo Moitoi, Amantle Mokgotlhe,
Shameelah Mosweu, Tebogo Motlhabaphuti, Wendy Moutswi, Merapelo Phiase,
Florence Samanyika, Tuelo Shadrack.
Kenya: Esther Wachira (c), Queentor Abel, Josephine Abwom, Mercy Ahono, Lavendah
Idambo, Melvin Khagoitsa, Kreeshna Mehta, Charity Muthoni (wk), Mary Mwangi
(wk), Jemimah Ndanu, Flavia Odhiambo, Kelvia Ogola, Judith Ogolla, Venasa
Ooko.
Namibia: Irene van Zyl (c), Naomi Benjamin, Jurriene Diergaardt, Merczerly Gorases,
Kayleen Green, Victoria Hamunyela, Yasmeen Khan (wk), Bianca Manuel,
Mekeleya Mwatile, Sylvia Shihepo, Saima Tuhadeleni, Sune Wittmann, Edelle Van
Zyl.
Nigeria: Blessing Etim (c), Rukayat Abdulrasak, Adeshola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya,
Christabel Chukwuonye, Favour Eseigbe, Sarah Etim (wk), Victory Igbinedion,
Abigail Igbobie (wk), Lucky Piety, Rachael Samson, Esther Sandy, Salome
Sunday, Lillian Udeh.
Rwanda: Diane Marie Bimenyimana (c), Alice Ikuzwe, Flora Irakoze, Rosine Irera, Gisele
Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Belise Murekatete,
Zulufat Mutoniwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Marie
Tumukunde, Clarisse Uwase, Merveille Uwase (wk).
Tanzania: Fatuma Kibasu (c), Saum Borakambi, Sophia Jerome, Perice Kamunya, Sheila
Kizito, Aisha Mohamed, Shufaa Mohamedi (wk), Saum Mtae, Hudaa Omary, Agnes
Qwele, Monica Pascal, Neema Pius, Mwajabu Salum, Mwanamvua Ushangaeko.
Uganda: Concy Aweko (c), Janet Mbabazi (vc), Sarah Akiteng, Prosscovia Alako, Irene Alumo, Lorna Anyait, Evelyn Anyipo, Malisa Ariokot, Kevin Awino (wk), Esther Iloku, Patricia
Malemikia, Rita Musamali, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Stephanie Nampiina.
Zimbabwe: Mary-Anne Musonda (c), Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Chiyedza Dhururu, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Ashley Ndiraya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Kelis Ndhlovu,
Lindokuhle Mabhera, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Chipo
Tiripano, Loreen Tshuma.
FIXTURES:
Saturday 9th December
09:30: Zimbabwe vs Kenya
13:50: Tanzania vs Botswana
Sunday 10th December
09:30: Namibia vs Nigeria
13:50: Rwanda vs Uganda
Monday 11th December
09:30: Kenya vs Tanzania
13:50: Botswana vs Zimbabwe
Tuesday 12th December
09:30: Nigeria vs Rwanda
13:50: Uganda vs Namibia
Wednesday 13th December
09:30: Kenya vs Botswana
13:50: Zimbabwe vs Tanzania
Thursday 14th December
09:30: Namibia vs Rwanda
13:50: Uganda vs Nigeria
Saturday 16th December
09:30: Semifinal 1 – A1 vs B2
13:50: Semifinal 2 – B1 vs A2
Sunday 17th December – Finals
09:30: 3rd/4th Play-off Final – Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2
13:50: Final – Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2
*All games will be played at the lakeside Entebbe Cricket Oval.
*All times are local time.
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