By 
For the second time in two years, Zimbabwe have slammed the door on Uganda’s World Cup dream.
The Baby Victoria Pearls once again fell to their familiar nemesis at the semifinal stage, losing by 20 runs in the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup Africa Division 1 Qualifier in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, yesterday.
- Zimbabwe-W U19 104/9 in 20 overs
- Uganda-W U19 84/9 in 20 overs
Zimbabwe U19 won by 20 run
Uganda had hoped this would be the day they settled old scores instead, history repeated itself.
Zimbabwe had ended Uganda’s campaign at exactly the same stage of the 2024 Africa Qualifier in Kigali, Rwanda, winning that contest by 75 runs. With memories of that defeat still fresh, the Baby Victoria Pearls entered Thursday’s showdown believing they had a chance to rewrite the story.
They could not. Zimbabwe, unbeaten in the tournament, posted 104 for nine in their 20 overs before Uganda stumbled to 84 for nine in reply.
The target looked within reach, but Uganda’s chase never quite caught fire.
Captain Jimia Abdallah Mohamed fought for 24 off 33 balls, while Tino Sarah remained unbeaten on 17 from 30. But Zimbabwe kept chipping away at the wickets, strangling Uganda’s chase and eventually sealing another painful semifinal victory.
Vanessa Nyasha Maedza was Zimbabwe’s chief destroyer with three wickets, while Tadiwanashe Makanaka Garutsa and Christina Vongai Mutasa claimed two apiece.
Earlier Uganda-W U19 won the toss and chose to bowl first against Zimbabwe-W U19 , Zimbabwe had been pegged back by Uganda’s bowlers, with Sheirah Namagoba taking three wickets. Sarah, Mischelle Ariago and Blessing Noeline Apio also struck, restricting Zimbabwe to what appeared to be a manageable 104.
But on a tense semifinal afternoon, 105 proved too much. Lorraine Pemhiwa’s 28 off 30 balls and Beloved Biza’s 21 from 21 gave Zimbabwe just enough to defend.
This is another qualification campaign for Uganda ending one step short of the World Cup and perhaps most painfully, it has happened against the same opponent, at the same stage.
The Baby Victoria Pearls must now wait for the next qualification cycle in 2028 to get another shot at breaking the semifinal curse.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, march into the final to face defending champions Nigeria who beat Rwanda in the other semi final, however its not to be forgotten that both opponents carry with them a victory over Uganda in this tournament.
Baby Victoria Pearls will have a bronze medal playoff against Rwanda U19 on Saturday September 5 before the final.
