The Ugandan Women’s Cricket team, Victoria Pearls, saw their dream of African Games gold vanish on Monday after an embarrassing 50-run defeat to South Africa in the semifinals.
Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, the Pearls struggled to contain the South African batters, conceding a total of 122 runs which is the second most conceded at this tournament after Kenya’s 142 against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
This proved too much for the Ugandan batters to chase down, resulting in their biggest loss of the competition.
Aweko’s Milestone Overshadowed
Despite the defeat, captain Consy Aweko achieved a personal milestone by claiming her 100th wicket in Women’s T20 Internationals with two dismissals. However, this landmark was blemished by the calamitous loss.
Uganda’s bowling attack struggled, with each bowler conceding runs in double figures. However, it was the batting collapse that sealed their fate. The chase ended in just 18.3 Overs, with wickets falling throughout the innings.
Early Wickets Hinder Chase
The chase began poorly with the crucial wicket of Immaculate Nakisuyi, who scored a half-century against Rwanda in the Victoria Pearls’ last group game on Sunday, falling in the very first Over.
The trio of Gloria Obukor, Janet Mbabazi and Stephanie Nampiina then followed. The latter two were both ducked in the eighth Over after Obukor with 12 falling in that same Over.
Lone Warriors Fall Short
Esther Iloku (19) offered some resistance, but her dismissal in the 11th over marked the beginning of the end.
Only Phionah Kulume (12) could manage another double-digit score for Uganda. In the end, Uganda were able to respond with only 72 while losing all their wickets, and leaving 9 balls unused.
Looking Ahead
It was a damaging loss, but Uganda still has a chance to return home with a medal. They will play Nigeria in the bronze medal match on Wednesday, while South Africa takes on Zimbabwe, who defeated Nigeria by 5 wickets in the other semifinal, for the gold medal.
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