Summary of results
Game 1
Uganda Vs Kenya
Kenya 63/8 (17 overs)
Uganda 66/4 (16.5/17 overs)
Uganda won by 6 wickets
Game 2
Uganda Vs Zimbabwe
Uganda 72 all out
Zimbabwe 75/6
Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
Game 3
Uganda Vs Rwanda
Uganda 106/2
Rwanda 76/8
Uganda won by 30 runs
Semifinals
Uganda Vs South Africa
South Africa 122/4
Uganda 72 all out
South Africa won by 50 runs
Bronze Game
Uganda Vs Nigeria
Uganda 76/8 in 20 overs
Nigeria 78/7 in 19.2 overs
Nigeria won by 3 wickets
In a series of nail-biting matches, the Victoria Pearls, showcased both resilience and vulnerability at the African Games. The tournament, held in Accra, Ghana, saw Uganda lock horns with formidable opponents, experiencing the highs of victory and the lows of defeat in equal measure.
Their journey kicked off with a tense battle against Kenya, where Uganda emerged victorious by six wickets. In a game reduced to 17 overs per side due to a wet outfield, Uganda displayed remarkable composure, chasing down Kenya’s total of 63/8 with just one over to spare. Rita Musamali’s decisive boundary in the final over sealed the win for the Victoria Pearls, setting a promising tone for the matches to come.
However, Uganda’s momentum was short-lived as they faced a formidable Zimbabwean side in their second match. Despite a valiant effort, Uganda faltered, succumbing to a narrow four-wicket defeat. Zimbabwe’s adept handling of the pressure in the final over dashed Uganda’s hopes of securing back-to-back victories, leaving them to regroup for the remainder of the tournament.
With their semifinal hopes hanging in the balance, Uganda faced off against Rwanda in a must-win encounter. Determined to bounce back, the Victoria Pearls delivered a clinical performance, posting a challenging total of 106/2. Immaculate Nakisuyi’s stellar all-round display and a disciplined bowling effort paved the way for a convincing 30-run victory, ensuring Uganda’s progression to the semifinals.
However, Uganda’s journey came to a disappointing end in the semifinals as they faced a formidable South African team. Despite winning the toss, Uganda’s lackluster performance saw them succumb to a comprehensive 50-run defeat. South Africa’s strong batting display proved too much for Uganda to handle, marking the end of their quest for the gold medal.
In a last-ditch effort to salvage a medal, Uganda faced off against Nigeria in the bronze medal match. Despite putting up a spirited fight, Uganda fell short, suffering a narrow three-wicket defeat. Despite some individual standout performances, Uganda couldn’t muster enough collective strength to overcome Nigeria’s challenge, ending their campaign on a disappointing note.
As the dust settles on their African Games campaign, the team must now turn their attention to the Global Qualifiers for the Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for April 2024 in Dubai with hopes of grabbing one of the two slots available for World Cup.
