Zimbabwe Women through to the African Games final

ASHLEY DUBE 

ACCRA – Zimbabwe Women secured a spot in the African Games women’s cricket final with a convincing five-wicket victory over Nigeria yesterday. 

The Lady Chevrons now set their sights on facing South Africa in tomorrow’s final, with a guaranteed medal in their grasp. 

They have the opportunity to put their names in history as the first country to claim the African Games cricket gold medal.

Image: Zimbabwe Cricket - Women 

The Lady Chevrons have displayed dominance, maintaining an unbeaten streak throughout the games; winning in all their matches, including three group stage games. 

Their semi-final clash against Nigeria, held at Achimota Senior Secondary School in Ghana, ended in a five-wicket win.

During yesterday's match, Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat first. 

Zimbabwe's disciplined bowling attack restricted Nigeria to a modest total of 74 runs for the loss of nine wickets within their allocated 20 overs. 

Kelis Ndhlovu and Loreen Tshuma shone with three wickets each, supported by Precious Marange, Josephine Nkomo, and Lindokhule Mabhero, who each secured a wicket.

Chasing 75 runs for victory, Zimbabwe faced a sluggish start as openers Modester Mupachikwa and Sharne Mayers struggled, managing only two runs in the initial two overs. 

The first setback for Zimbabwe came in the fifth over when Mayers was dismissed by Peculiar Agboya after scoring five runs.

Mupachikwa, who recently became the first lady to have 1000 international T20 runs to her name, anchored the innings, top-scoring for the Lady Chevrons with 26 runs off 43 balls. 

The team’s captain Mary-Anne Musonda contributed 18 runs off 19 balls, while Nkomo added 13 runs off 14 balls to guide Zimbabwe to a crucial victory in the semi-final showdown.