Ghana wins ICC U19 CWC Qualifiers – Africa Division 2

The Under-19 Ghana team won the ICC Africa Division 2 tournament in South Africa by remaining unbeaten in the seven-team competition. The victory allowed Ghana to qualify for the 2017 ICC Africa Division 1 tournament, which will serve as a platform for the competing sides to qualify for the 2019 ICC Under-19 World Cup to be hosted in New Zealand.

Ghana was followed by Botswana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone on the points table, with all three sides winning four matches each. Zambia, with four points from two wins, ended fifth, and was followed by Tanzania (two points) and Rwanda, who failed to register a win in the tournament.

FINAL DAY WRAP UP SAHARA PARK WILLOWMOORE MAIN OVAL BOTSWANA v ZAMBIA

Botswana beat Zambia by seven wickets after successfully chasing down a target of 77 on Monday (September 19). Zambia won the toss and elected to bat, as the central African nations locked horns at the main Oval of Sahara Park, Willowmoore.

In what was a must-win encounter for Botswana, it first bowled out Zambia for 76 in 32.3 overs and the cruised to 77 for 3 in just 15.4 overs. T Pieterse was the highest scorer – he made 20 off 27 balls. Botswana’s best ten overs).

In reply, Botswana began its chase with confidence through T Perera, who hit 30 off 35 balls, his knock including four boundaries, and M Arooz (24 off 34). EM Chansa (2 for 11) was the only Zambian bowler who managed to pick up wickets.

SAHARA PARK WILLOWMOORE 'A' FIELD TANZANIA v NIGERIA

After suffering a shocking defeat in its previous match, Nigeria made a comeback with a nine-wicket win against Tanzania at field ‘A’ of Sahara Park, Willowmoore. Nigeria won the toss and elected to bowl, and managed to restrict Tanzania to 46 in 23.3 overs, and completed the chase in just 6.2 overs.

Arsalaan Premji was the only batsmen who racked up some runs for Tanzania, scoring 13 off 61 balls. Nigeria's most successful bowlers were S Oluronbi (4 for 16 in seven overs) and C Akachukwu (3 for 9 in 8.3 overs).

Nigeria, in an attempt to get to the target as quickly as possible to secure a better Net Run Rate, started the chase positively. In the end, it took only three Nigerian batsmen to get past the target. E Olaleye remained unbeaten on 27, hitting four fours.

SAHARA PARK WILLOWMOORE 'B' FIELD SIERRA LEONE v RWANDA

Sierra Leone beat Rwanda by seven wickets to register its fourth win in the tournament. Winning the toss, Rwanda chose to bat at Field ‘B’ of Sahara Park, Willowmoore. But it was unable to capitalise, and ended up losing wickets at regular intervals. In the end, it was bundled out for 91 in 38.3 overs. B Tuyizere scored 43 off 111 balls, hitting two fours. Five Sierra Leone bowlers – C Karhbo (2 for 13), G Ngegba (2 for 10), H Kamara (2 for 19), OT Sankoh (2 for 24), C Bah (2 for 8) – bagged two wickets each.

Sierra Leone began its chase in style, and lost just three wickets in the pursuit of the 92-run target. G Ngegba made 29 off 26 balls, and was ably supported by OT Sankoh, who made 26 off 16, hitting four fours and a six. C Nzabarinda, O Tuyisenge and B Tuyizere took one wicket each for Rwanda.