Uganda and Namibia advance to World Cup

Action from Namibia v PNG © ICC

Uganda inched past Kenya and Namibia comfortably overcame PNG in the semi finals of the ICC Africa/EAP U19 World Cup Qualifier played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa today.

Uganda, the form side of the tournament thus far, lost the toss and fielded first against a determined Kenya. At 4/74 in 30 overs the game was evenly poised until the introduction of medium pacer Ronald Semanda halted any opportunity for a late innings Kenyan charge. Semanda captured 3/35 off his 10 tidy overs and was well supported by quick bowler Emmanual Issanez (4/21 off 8). The Kenyan innings was wrapped up on the last ball of the 49th over for 113.

Uganda nervously chased their target but was never able to take full control of the persistent Kenyan attack. The 7th and 8th wickets both fell in consecutive balls at 109 and the last 5 runs came agonisingly slow for the Ugandan players and supporters. Off spinner Dilip Mavji bowled 10 overs 6 maidens and claimed 1/6 whilst for Uganda Hamza Saleh Almuzahim top scored with 21 off 53 balls.

In the other semi PNG were their own worst enemy dropping 8 catches as Namibia amassed an imposing 6/263 from their 50 overs. LP Van der Westhuizen was the star again for Namibia with a well compiled and mature 113 off 136 balls. Dawid Botha also continued his good form with 66 off 92 balls.

Action from Nigeria v Tanzania © ICC

After strokemaker Emmanuel Karo was caught behind for 0 in the first over, PNG were always going to be behind the eight ball. Jack Vare (52 off 107 balls) and Kapena Arua (43 off 90) steadied the ship and combined for a 109 run 3rd wicket partnership. However, the run rate continued to climb as the Namibian bowlers applied the screws with their consistent line and length attack. Van der Westhuizen continued his man of the match winning form with 10 tidy overs (1/25) of left arm orthodox. Opening bowler Henno Prinsloo (3/22) was also destructive in the middle stages of the innings. The end came quickly as the last 3 wickets fell for only 1 run and PNG finished 100 runs shy of their target.

Over on M Field, Tanzania knocked over Nigeria for 161 and then cruised past the score with the loss of only 2 wickets. Abhik Patwa top scored with 54 and Benson Mwita smashed 52no in only 43 balls.

The final game of the round was no contest as Fiji again succumbed to spin bowling to be bowled out for 80 and after a couple of early scares Zambia completed the victory in 27 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Fiji's cause was not helped by its wayward bowling (22 wides).

Tomorrow's final on the main ground at Willowmoore Park features Uganda and Namibia with Kenya looking to atone for their defeat yesterday by returning to face PNG in the fight for 3rd and 4th place. Zambia and Tanzania will lock horns for 5th and 6th whilst Nigeria and Fiji will both be looking for their first wins of the tournament in the battle for 7th and 8th.

Playoff results:
Kenya 113 (Issanez 4/21, Semanda 3/35) lost to Uganda 8/114
Namibia 6/263 (Van der Westhuizen 113, Botha 66, Ackermann 32) defeated PNG 163 (Vare 52, Arua 43, Prinsloo 3/22)
Fiji 80 (Kandela 4/23, Patel 3/8) lost to Zambia 6/81
Nigeria 161 (Ademola 46, Ajao 32, Dhawani 4/22, Mwita 3/38) lost to Tanzania 2/165 (Patwe 54, Mwita 52no)

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