Maqonda Ndlovu
Namibia’s Capricorn Eagles got off to a flying start in the 2023 final leg of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier by beating Nigeria via a 9-run victory in their first match of the tournament on Saturday.
Namibia were made to work hard, as rain interrupted their match, but the Capricorn Eagles’ opening duo, Yasmeen Khan and Sune Wittmann, made sure that the Eagles kicked off the tournament with a victory after being sent to bat by Nigeria.
Khan scored 59 runs from 49 balls, while Wittmann scored 24 runs off 27 runs before retiring after suffering what seemed to be a knee injury.
Jurriene-Arrasta Diergaardt came in and contributed six runs from 15 balls before a late surge in batting by Mezerly Gorases (26 runs from 26 balls not out), with the help of Mekelaye Mwatile, who added three runs from five balls.
This saw Namibia over the line with 122 runs for the loss of two wickets (122/2) in 20 overs.
The Nigerians seemed on course for a major upset as Lucky Piety, Peculiar Agboya and captain Blessing Etim scored 43, 24 and 20 runs, respectively.
But Namibia’s bowlers managed to claim wickets regularly, constantly breaking any seriously developing partnerships to restrict Nigeria to 113/7 in 20 overs.
Silvia Shihepo took two wickets for 26 runs in three overs, while Naomi Benjamin, Kayleen-Ann Green and captain Irene van Zyl each took a wicket.
However, the Eagles found the going tough against the hosts, Uganda, as they fell to a four-wicket defeat. Uganda won the toss and sent the Capricorn Eagles to bat.
Namibia failed to get going, with Green top-scoring with 22, while Wittmann and Khan contributed 17 and 15 runs, respectively, as they were bowled out for 92 runs in 19.5 overs.
Uganda scored 93/6 in 18.4 overs to win the match by four wickets.
Victoria Hamunyela starred with the ball, claiming three wickets, while Gorases, Mwatile and Green chipped in with a wicket each.
Namibia plays Rwanda today, and victory will inch them closer to qualifying for the semi-finals, as they aim to emulate the men’s side by qualifying for the T20 World Cup.
After two matches, Khan is Namibia’s top run scorer with 74 runs in two innings, while Hamunyela leads Namibia’s bowling figures with three wickets from two innings.