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Christabel Chukwuonye-led Nigeria scripted history in Dar-es-Salaam with a thrilling four-run win over Zimbabwe to book a place in the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2026 final. Nigeria completed an unbeaten campaign and will feature in the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal.
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Nigeria skipper Christable got emotional as she celebrated her team’s ground-breaking achievement. She is excited for the next phase and lauded her team for not panicking in tense moments and heeding to the coaches’ advice.
“I actually cried when the game was over because I couldn’t really express what I was feeling. The next phase is just the beginning and we know it will be tougher. My team has really been the best.” said an emotional Nigeria captain Christabel Chukwuonye.
“They listened to the coaches, stayed united and, even with the pressure in the last over, they were able to hold their nerves. I wouldn’t be here holding this trophy without the support of the coaching crew and my players. I am very grateful to all of them.”
Late charge take Nigeria close to 100
Batting first, Nigeria openers were not up to the mark. Both Omosingho Eguakun and Jessica Bieni got run out. Omosigho scored four runs from 10 deliveries whereas Jessia managed to score 15 runs from 25 deliveries. It was a similar story for the following batters. Chisom Okpe scored just five runs from 14 balls. Beauty Oguai faced as many as 35 deliveries to score 19 runs. Then Shola Adekunle played 13 deliveries for five runs. Towards the end, skipper Christable's 19-ball 21 featuring three fours and wicketkeeper-batter Deborah Bassey's 4-ball 10 took Nigeria to 98/6.
Zimbabwe’s run chase derailed early
In the run chase, Nicolelette Nyika and Chistine Mutasa shared a 27-run opening partnership. In the fourth over, Usen Peace struck twice to dismiss Nicolette for 19-ball 18 and skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa for a two-ball duck. In her next over, she knocked over Christine for a 14-ball 13. The follow of runs slower down and Beloved Biza and Tadiwa Garutsa fell cheaply. Zimbabwe lost half the side for 38 in 8.1 overs.
Zimbabwe fail to finish it off
Bethel Zinyama and Salem Museka shared a 47-run partnership which was broken in the 18th over by Annointed Akhigbe. She fell for 27 after facing 32 balls. In the penultimate over bowled by Jennifer Godwin, Bethel was run out for a 31-ball 21. Then, Buhlebenkosi Maposa was run out and Sharmaine Manwyukwi was knocked over. Vanessa Mayedza could not score a single run for five deliveries. She got bowled on the penultimate delivery by Annointed as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 94. Zimbabwe lost to Nigeria by four runs as the latter scripted history.
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