By Innocent Indawula 

Game 4 – ICC T20 World Cup Africa Final

Nigeria 99 all out in 19.1 overs

Joseph Adedeji 23 off 29

Dinesh Nakrani 3 for 21

Uganda 100/1 in 17.3 overs

Ronak Patel 60* off 52

Peter Aho 1 for 8

Uganda won by 9 wickets (with 15 balls to spare)

Man of Match: Dinesh Nakrani

Next Fixtures – Wednesday, November 29

Fixtures – Today

Nigeria vs. Zimbabwe 10.30am, United

Rwanda vs. Tanzania 10.30am, Wanderers

Uganda vs. Kenya 3.30pm, Wanderers

In a spectacular display of cricket prowess, Uganda left no room for doubt as they secured a convincing 9-wicket victory against Nigeria in the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Final at Trustco United on November 27. The win not only bolstered their confidence but also strategically positioned them for an epic showdown against arch-rivals Kenya tomorrow afternoon at the Wanderers.

The looming Uganda - Kenya clash at the Wanderers Sports Club oval in Windhoek will go down history books as a monumental day in the history of the game. The fierce rivalry between two East African brothers has lots at stake – but most importantly both teams will want to put one foot in the Airbus to the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Good recent form

The stakes are high, and the outcome of this contest could reshape the cricketing destinies of both Uganda and Kenya. Kenya have participated in five One Day International (ODI) World Cup tournaments and qualified for the 2007 T20 World Cup. In contrast, Uganda have never been there with only three of their countrymen gracing the turf at the ‘Holy Grail’ – legendary Sam Walusimbi, John Nagenda (RIP), and Henry Osinde.

However, recent triumphs, including a heart-wrenching one-run victory over Kenya in the Continent Cup – T20 Africa final on June 21 at the Nairobi Gymkhana Oval, give Uganda some confidence. In fact, Uganda have only lost once to Kenya in the last five T20 Internationals.

As the Cricket Cranes took on Nigeria in their fourth match of the tournament, statistics tell a story of dominance. After winning the toss, Nigeria 99 all out in 19.1 overs. Joseph Adedeji led the batting with 23 off 29, supported by Isaac Danladi's 16 off 13 and Sulaimon Runsewe's 15 off 23. Uganda's bowlers were relentless, with Dinesh Nakrani taking a remarkable 3 for 21, Bilal Hassun claiming 2 for 12, and Alpesh Ramjani securing 2 for 20.

Victory over Nigeria

The chase from Uganda was nothing short of clinical. They reached the target of 100/1 in 17.3 overs, winning by 9 wickets with 15 balls to spare. Ronak Patel carried his bat with an unbeaten 60 runs from 52 deliveries while Roger Mukasa was solid with a 40-ball 28. The only wicket to fall was that of Simon Ssesazi, who has been below par for his own standards with 6 runs off 13 balls. He fell to Edo State’s Peter Aho who conceded only 8 runs.

Nakrani earned himself the well-deserved title of Man of the Match. His exceptional bowling figures played a pivotal role in restricting Nigeria to a modest total, setting the stage for Uganda's dominant run chase.

As the Cricket Cranes, on 10 points, prepare for tomorrow’s crunch fixture against Kenya, the statistics from their recent triumph over Nigeria inject confidence into their campaign and Uganda will be aiming to carry forward the momentum and secure a historic berth in the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Permutations Pointers

  • Namibia is poised to secure the first qualification spot, potentially unbeaten.
  • Kenya & Uganda need to triumph in both their remaining games to secure the second spot, with Uganda having a seemingly more manageable final fixture.
  • Zimbabwe must secure victories in both games, and they may benefit from Kenya beating Uganda for their best chance at the second qualification spot.
  • While Nigeria is not definitively eliminated, their chances are slim. Specific match results, including a no-result in the Kenya-Uganda game, would be necessary for them to stay in contention.
  • Focus is undoubtedly on Uganda, and their journey towards World Cup qualification is teetering on the edge of a historic breakthrough."

POINTS TABLE (as at November 27, 2023)

Team                    P             W           L             NR          Pts          NRR

Namibia               4             4             0             0             8             2.589

Uganda                4             3             1             0             6             0.503

Kenya                   4             3             1             0             6             0.481

Zimbabwe           4             2             2             0             4             2.276

Nigeria                 4             1             2             1             3             -0.195

Rwanda               4             0             3             1             1             -4.580

Tanzania              4             0             4             0             0             -2.294

*NR denotes No Result/Shared Points

*NRR denotes Net Run Rate