When Tanzania Women's Cricket Team edged out Namibia Women's Cricket Team by a single wicket, the crowd at the Women's African Games 2024Accra, Ghana could barely catch its breath. The drama unfolded on March 10, 2024, when Namibia posted a modest 103/8 in their 20 overs, only to see Tanzania chase it down with just eight balls to spare. The decisive moment? A four off the bowling of Saima Tuhadeleni that sent Tanzanian fans into a frenzy and secured a one‑wicket victory that will be talked about for months.
Namibia won the toss and elected to bat, a choice that seemed logical on a pitch that was offering a little extra turn for the bowlers. Their innings was anchored by a series of steady middle‑order contributions, but none broke the 30‑run barrier. The final total of 103/8, while not huge, proved deceptive – the run‑rate was tight and the wickets fell at crucial moments.
Tanzania’s reply started positively, slipping to 73/3 after 10.2 overs. At that point, they needed 31 runs from 58 balls with seven wickets in hand – a scenario many would have called comfortable. Yet, the Namibian bowlers, led by the trio of Arrasta Diergaardt, Mwatile, and Saima Tuhadeleni, sparked a dramatic comeback.
The first big swing came when Diergaardt supplied a sharp in‑session that dismissed Tanzania’s top‑order batter Mtae. After that, Namibia’s fielding unit stepped up – a couple of brilliant catches turned the tide and the pressure mounted on the chasing side.
With the game hanging in the balance, the partnership of left‑hander Mwanavua Ushanga and tail‑ender Saum Hussein became the story. They needed just three runs from the last eight balls. Ushanga, who had only four runs to her name, showed nerves of steel. "When you’re at the crease with the win on the line, you just picture the boundary and go for it," she said after the match.
On the final delivery, Tuhadeleni bowled a well‑length ball outside off. Ushanga’s bat met it cleanly, sending the ball racing through the covers for four. The crowd erupted, and Tanzania clinched the win at 107/9 in 18.4 overs.
Despite the euphoria, Tanzania’s net‑run‑rate only moved to –1.130, leaving them short of the –0.778 needed to overtake Nigeria, who secured the final semi‑final berth. Nigeria’s earlier victory against Uganda ensured they advanced, set to meet Zimbabwe later that afternoon.
Zimbabwe and Uganda had already booked their places with dominant performances. Zimbabwe’s 142/5, powered by Modester Mupachikwa (40 off 40) and Sharne Mary Mayers (39 off 40), showcased the growing depth of African women’s T20 cricket. Uganda’s disciplined bowling unit also impressed, though details remain limited.
Coach John Mwesigwa (not officially confirmed) praised his side’s resilience: “We knew the numbers weren’t in our favour after the first half‑innings, but the girls kept believing. That boundary was a testament to never giving up.” The win, while not enough to progress, signals a rising competitiveness within the Tanzanian setup.
Analysts see this as a turning point. Former South African international Rashida Riaz noted, “Tanzania’s ability to chase under pressure shows they’re developing a mental edge that was missing in earlier tournaments.” The performance also boosted the profile of women’s cricket back home, sparking conversations about increased funding and more regular international fixtures.
The Women’s African Games have become a crucial platform for emerging cricket nations. Since the event’s inception in 2015, the tournament has expanded from eight to twelve teams, reflecting growing participation across the continent. Namibia, traditionally a strong side in the 50‑over format, has been redirecting resources into the shorter game, evident in their disciplined bowling spell against Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s cricket board launched a grassroots program in 2021 targeting schools in Dar es Salaam and Arusha. The move has begun to bear fruit, with several players in the current squad emerging from those academies. Their nine‑month preparation cycle for the 2024 Games included a series against Kenya and a bilateral T20 contest with Uganda, both of which helped hone the team’s chase strategies.
Looking ahead, the next major test will be the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier slated for 2026, where both Tanzania and Namibia hope to translate their African Games experience into global qualification.
The victory improved Tanzania’s net‑run‑rate to –1.130, but Nigeria’s superior rate of 0.778 kept Tanzania out of the top two in Group B. So, despite the dramatic win, Tanzania remained third in the group and did not advance.
Namibia’s bowling trio – Arrasta Diergaardt, Mwatile and Saima Tuhadeleni – claimed six wickets between them, keeping Tanzania’s chase precarious until the very end.
The close finish highlights the increasing parity among African nations. Teams like Tanzania and Namibia are now capable of producing high‑pressure scenarios that rival more established sides, indicating that investment in grassroots and regional tournaments is bearing fruit.
Nigeria faced Zimbabwe later on the same afternoon of March 10, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium. The winner of that match advanced to the tournament final scheduled for March 14, 2024.
If Tanzania can translate the resilience shown in Accra into consistent performances, they stand a realistic chance of reaching the 2026 qualifier. Continued support from the national board and more exposure to higher‑ranked teams will be essential.
Written by Zimkita Khayone Mvunge
View all posts by: Zimkita Khayone Mvunge