TANZANIA SET TO HOST AFRICA’S RISING STARS IN THE ICC U19 WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP AFRICA QUALIFIER

Media Release

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  • Eight teams to compete in Dar es Salaam from 30 August to 5 September 2026  

  • Tournament winner to directly qualify for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027, joining South Africa as the continent’s representatives  

  • New Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Arena to host another major international cricket event  

  • Live scores can be followed here 

​Tanzania is ready to welcome Africa’s most promising young women cricketers to the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier which will take place in Dar es Salaam from 30 August to 5 September. 

Eight teams – Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe – will compete for the sole place at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027 in Bangladesh and Nepal.  

The teams have been drawn into two groups: 

Group A: Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda 

 
Group B: Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.  

Each team will play the other teams in its group, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. The remaining teams will compete in placement matches, while the winners of the semi-finals will advance to the final. 

The winner of the tournament will join South Africa in representing Africa at the main event in 2027.  

The tournament will be played at the TCA Arena at the University of Dar es Salaam, where Tanzania will once again host an important international ICC event. The competition follows the successful hosting of the final leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B. 

Tanzania Cricket Association Chair, Dr. B.S. Sreekumar said: “Following the successful hosting of the final leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, we are delighted to once again welcome the international cricket community to Dar es Salaam. 

“The recently inaugurated TCA Arena will now provide the stage for some of Africa’s brightest young women cricketers to showcase their talent and pursue their dreams. For these young players, this tournament represents an opportunity to wear their national colours with pride, compete against some of the best young talent in Africa and take one step closer to the biggest stage in youth cricket. 

“The growth of women’s cricket across Africa is one of the most exciting developments in our game, and this tournament is a celebration of that progress and of a new generation of talented young women ready to make their mark.”  

ICC Regional Development Manager – Africa, Justine Ligyalingi said: “This tournament marks the final Africa qualification event on the pathway to the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027 and provides the continent’s brightest young female cricketers with an opportunity to compete for the ultimate prize - representing Africa on the world stage. 

“The development of the U19 women’s game is fundamental to the future of cricket in Africa, and this tournament represents another significant step in creating opportunities for the next generation of female athletes.  

“We look forward to an exciting week of cricket and wish all eight teams every success as they compete for the honour of becoming one of Africa’s representatives at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027.”  

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE 

Sunday, 30 August 

9:30 AM 

  • Nigeria vs Uganda -Estim Ground  

  • Namibia vs Kenya -NTS Ground  

2:00 PM 

  • Tanzania vs Malawi - Estim Ground  

  • Zimbabwe vs Rwanda -NTS Ground  

Monday, 31 August 

9:30 AM 

  • Nigeria vs Malawi -Estim Ground  

  • Rwanda vs Namibia -NTS Ground  

2:00 PM 

  • Tanzania vs Uganda -Estim Ground  

  • Zimbabwe vs Kenya -NTS Ground  

Tuesday, 1 September 

Rest Day 

Wednesday, 2 September 

9:30 AM 

  • Rwanda vs Kenya -Estim Ground  

  • Uganda vs Malawi -NTS Ground  

2:00 PM 

  • Zimbabwe vs Namibia -Estim Ground  

  • Nigeria vs Tanzania -NTS Ground  

Thursday, 3 September 

9:30 AM 

  • 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B -Semi-Final 1- Estim Ground  

  • 3rd Group A vs 4th Group B -Placement Match -NTS Ground  

2:00 PM 

  • 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A – Semi-Final 2 – Estim Ground  

  • 3rd Group B vs 4th Group A – Placement Match – NTS Ground  

Friday, 4 September 

Rest Day 

Saturday, 5 September 

9:30 AM 

  • Third-Place Play-Off - Estim Ground  

  • Seventh-Place Play-Off - NTS Ground  

2:00 PM 

  • FINAL – Estim Ground  

  • Fifth-Place Play-Off -NTS Ground 

Participating teams and squads 

Kenya 

Melvin Khagoitsa (capt), Alice Kariuki, Condolisa Leah Atieno, Hellen Andayi, Jane Waithira Kimani, Janet Makau, Joy Juma, Marion Jacinta Agoi, Nancy Wafula, Nezarine Oluoch, Patience Iminza, Roshele Atamba and Stella Rodgers. 

Malawi 

Favour Piliyesi (capt), Angela Lumbe, Bridget Kasinja, Alinafe Abraham Kawirawira, Milcah Savala, Christina Kabambe, Rachel Zamapemba, Caroline Chitsanzo, Stella Kunje, Sphiwe Frank, Shavoni Akileni, Princess Chidatha, Wezzie Cheke and Regina Wilfred. 

Namibia 

Unombuiro Kaanjosa (capt), Alexa Vorster, Anda van Wyk, Eviste Iiyambo, Jani-Mari van Heerden, Kiana de Jager, Lelly Khumus, Mea Meyer, Monique Muller, Namutenya Thomas, Rihanna Unondjara, Tangeni Lungameni, Veronika Tobias and Zanelle Steyn. 

Nigeria 

Christabel Chukwuonye (capt), Anointed Akhigbe, Beauty Oguai, Chisom Okpe, Deborah Bassey, Favour Effiong, Glory Idiahi, Inyene Umoh, Jennifer Godwin, Jessica Bieni, Omosigho Eguakun, Peace Usen, Praise Onaighise, Sarah Wetoto and Shola Adenkule. 

Rwanda 

Grace Mugwaneza (capt),Chanceline Umutoni, Christella Uwambajimana, Deborah Uwase, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Honette Keza, Justine Ingabire, Liliane Ufitinema, Lina Ikuzwe, Nasira Umukundwa, Shalon Elyse Nkuriza Uwizeye, Sonia Umuringa, Ruth Uwimana and Thania Uwase Niyorukundo. 

Tanzania 

Saumu Deo Hussen (capt), Lightness Eliud Elisha, Zulfa Hussein Abdallahaman, Amina Kombo Kheri, Mwanaidi Muhamedy Athuman, Rebeca Martin, Dorice Helment, Lightness Yona Mganga, Nzela Daniel Magembe, Zakia Ally, Shania Fikiri Salum, Sharoni Rejusi, Joan Jackson, Sabrina Salim Jaffu, Rahma Rahaya Kibwana, Maria Justine Massawe. 

Uganda 

Jimia Abdullah (capt) Aceng Elizabeth, Ariago Michelle, Biribawa Marriam, Devine Nyamer, Nabuulime Shadiah, Rashidah Tikabula, Joan Ilora, Mary Namiiro, Mukite Asha, Sheirah Namagoba, Sarah Tino, Irene Mutonyi and Apio Blessing. 

Zimbabwe 

Buhlebenkosi Maposa (capt), Andile Mtomba, Beloved Biza, Bethel Zinyama, Christina Mutasa, Felicity Mpofu, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Naomi Mhlekwa, Nicollet Nyika, Salem Museka, Sharmaine Munyuki, Tadiwanashe Garutsa, Tawananyasha Zvomarima and Vanessa Maedza. 

ENDS