Kenya continue to disappoint

Namibia registered a crushing 160-run victory over Ghana at the Lugogo Cricket Oval. Namibia lost opener Louis van der Westhuizen off the second ball of the game, but Craig Williams and Sarel Burger waded into the Ghana attack, putting on 140 runs off 64 balls. Williams hit seven fours and six sixes in his 86 off 33 balls, while Burger took 52 deliveries to reach 82. Though Williams was dismissed in the 11th over, Burger featured in a couple of solid 30-plus stands that took Namibia to a formidable 237 for 6.

In their reply, Ghana folded meekly, with none of their batsmen managing to go past 14. The highest partnership of the innings was between Francis Bakiweyem and Julius Mensah, who put together 30 runs for the second wicket at nearly a-run-a-ball. But once Mensah fell in the eighth over, things went downhill, as Ghana slumped from 38 for 2 to 77 all out. Sarel Burger backed up his batting heroics with a stellar bowling spell, picking up five for 10 in his four overs.

Nigeria offspinner Olalekan Awolowo picked up five wickets to set up his team's three-wicket win over Kenya in a low-scoring match in Kampala. Put in to bat, Kenya got off to a brisk start thanks to opener Duncan Allan who made 48 off 34 balls, and added 66 with Jignesh Hirani for the first wicket. But once the openers fell off consecutive deliveries in the ninth over, there was a dramatic collapse - only Joseph Ochieng managed to enter double digits, as Kenya were bowled out for 107. Awolowo picked up 5 for 14 and also effected two run-outs.

Nigeria's chase began on a tentative note, with none of their top four getting beyond 16. But No. 5 Kunle Adegbola managed to steady the innings with 36 off 33 balls. When he was dismissed in the final over, Nigeria needed three runs off four balls. Akabogu Okwudili took them home with one ball to go, handing Nigeria their second win of the tournament.

Kenya's day worsened when they were suffered a 169-run defeat against Namibia who extended their unbeaten run. van der Westhuizen took the game away from Kenya early, launching Namibia's innings with a 94-run stand in 46 balls with his captain Craig Williams. Williams' exit did little to stop the run flow as van der Westhuizen blasted his way to an unbeaten 159 off 70 balls, which included 16 sixes. Burger continued his good form, with 53 not out off 30 balls as Namibia surged to 262 for 1 in their 20 overs. In their reply Kenya limped to 93 for 8 in their 20 overs. Pikky ya France was the most successful bowler for Namibia with 3 for 14.

Uganda sneaked home by three wickets with ten balls to spare in an attritional encounter against Nigeria at the Kyambogo Cricket Ground. Batting first, Nigeria kept losing wickets regularly, with only Ademola Onikoyi showing some resistance with 42 off 53 balls. Ramit Gill and Ojajide Bejide contributed 20s to lift their side to 112 for 8. Uganda made hard work of the chase, losing wickets at regular intervals and it was down to tailenders Davis Arinaitwe and Deusdedit Muhumza, both of whom struck a boundary each to carry their side home in the penultimate over.