Match Summaries for the Final Day
Morning Match
Mozambique Women: 40 all out (13 overs)
Sierra Leone Women: 41/2 (4.1 overs)
Sierra Leone Women won by 8 wickets
Afternoon Match
Kenya Women: 112/2 (20 overs)
Malawi Women: 70/9 (20 overs)
Kenya Women won by 42 runs
Kenya Under-19 Women finally overcame their recent struggles against Malawi, claiming a memorable victory that secured top spot and qualification to Division One of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa pathway.
While both Kenya and Malawi progressed from the Division 2 Qualifier, the win carried extra significance for Kenya, who had previously fallen to Malawi two times in 2024.
Those defeats included a narrow two-wicket loss in the Division 2 Qualifier and a seven-wicket defeat in the Division One Qualifier’s seventh-place playoff.
This time, however, Kenya turned the tables in the final encounter of the tournament at Entebbe oval on Saturday afternoon, producing a strong all-round display to claim a 42-run victory and sign off the tournament as champions.
Kenya and Malawi both confirmed their progression from the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier as champions and runners-up respectively, while Sierra Leone registered a dominant victory over Mozambique in the morning match to finish third.
Batting first after Malawi opted to field, Kenya posted a competitive 112/2 in 20 overs. Zainabu Hamisi anchored the innings with 31 runs, while Janet Makau added an unbeaten 26 and captain Melvin Khagoitsa struck a quick 23. Kenya also benefitted from 15 extras to build a solid total.
Malawi’s chase struggled to gain momentum as Kenya’s bowlers applied constant pressure. Khagoitsa led from the front with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 8 runs in four overs, while Hamisi picked up 2 wickets and Stella Rogers added another.
Despite Princess Chidatha’s 19 runs, Malawi were restricted to 70/9 in their 20 overs, handing Kenya a convincing 42-run victory.
Malawi captain Favour Piliyesi remained positive despite the loss:
I am excited that we have qualified but we still need to improve more as a team.There is a lot we have learned in this tournament, especially believing in ourselves, and I assure we will be better in the next stage.
Kenya captain Melvin Khagoitsa praised her side for achieving their primary goal:
Our main focus coming into this tournament was to qualify for Division One and we achieved that.We just enjoyed the game and proved to ourselves that we are winners.
The games were not easy, but we took them one at a time and it worked for us.
In the next stage we want to play good cricket and remain in Division One.
Earlier in the day, Sierra Leone recorded a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Mozambique.
After choosing to bat, Mozambique struggled against disciplined Sierra Leone bowling. Theresa Tommy starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets, while Kadiatu Sawaneh and Susan Sesay picked up two wickets each as Mozambique were bowled out for 40 in 13 overs.
Leonor Virgelino Mandlate top-scored with 7 runs, with extras contributing significantly to the total.
Sierra Leone chased down the modest target with ease, reaching 41/2 in just 4.1 overs. Mary Kamara led the chase with 18 from 15 balls, while Tommy finished unbeaten on 10 to seal the win.
Khagoitsa was named Player of the Tournament after topping the charts with 128 runs and 9 wickets, while teammates Stella Rogers (7 wickets) and Zainabu Hamisi (110 runs) claimed the Best Bowler and Best Batter awards respectively.
Individual Awards
- Best Bowler: Stella Rogers (Kenya)
- Best Batter: Zainabu Hamisi (Kenya)
- Player of the Tournament: Melvin Khagoitsa (Kenya)
ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier Final Standings
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NR | Points | Net RR |
| Kenya | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3.8805 |
| Malawi | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1.5452 |
| Sierra Leone | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -0.1991 |
| Mozambique | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1.8328 |
| Cameroon | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -4.5921 |