South Africa Women Under-19 delivered a dominant all-round performance to secure a comprehensive 99-run victory over Ghana Women in the third match of the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20 Tournament in Lagos. The convincing display underlined their strength in both departments and reinforced their credentials in the competition.
South Africa’s innings began cautiously after Chanel Venter fell early, scoring a quick 8 from 8 deliveries before being caught by Essoun off Awuah at 12 for 1 in 2.2 overs. Ghana briefly gained encouragement from the early breakthrough, but Ashley Barnard and Siphokuhle Masilela attempted to stabilise the innings. Barnard, however, departed for 8 from 10 balls at 24 for 2 in 3.2 overs, with Sagoé striking to keep the pressure on.
A crucial stand between Masilela and captain Mieke van Voorst then steadied the innings. Masilela anchored one end with a composed 37 from 44 balls, while van Voorst injected momentum into the scoring. Their partnership guided South Africa beyond the 100-run mark before Masilela was dismissed at 130 for 4 in 16.4 overs, caught by Awuah off Adotei.
Van Voorst led from the front with an influential 50 from 34 deliveries, striking six boundaries at a strike rate of 147.05. Her innings helped consolidate the middle overs and lift the scoring tempo at key moments. Although she was dismissed at 108 for 3 in 14.1 overs, South Africa were well positioned to finish strongly.
Rethabile Nthoba and Jae-Leigh Filander provided the late impetus, both remaining unbeaten on 17 from 12 balls. Their finishing efforts enabled South Africa to post 168 for 4 in 20 overs at a run rate of 8.40. Extras contributed 31 runs, reflecting lapses in Ghana’s bowling discipline.
Kate Awuah was Ghana’s most effective bowler, finishing with 2 for 22 from her four overs at an economy of 5.50. Ernestina Sagoé and Rebecca Adotei claimed one wicket each, while the rest of the attack, including Rashidatu Salia and Grace Essoun, found it difficult to stem the flow of runs.
In reply, Ghana struggled to build momentum as early wickets left them under pressure. Elizabeth Annor was dismissed for 2 at 5 for 1 in 1.2 overs. Rashidatu Salia offered resistance with 12 from 29 balls, but the scoring rate remained well behind the required pace.
A brief partnership between Salia and Awuah, who made 12 from 18 deliveries, helped Ghana reach 28 for 2 in 6.4 overs. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Ellen Asante scored just 1, while Miriam Eshun departed without scoring. A middle-order collapse saw Ghana slide from 43 for 3 to 47 for 7, ending hopes of a recovery.
Captain Jacqueline Kokam remained unbeaten on 9 from 11 balls but lacked support from the other end. Contributions from Ernestina Sagoé (7 from 12) and Esther Bakiweyem (2 from 13) were insufficient as Ghana were eventually bowled out for 69 in 19.3 overs, falling short by 99 runs.
South Africa’s bowlers maintained control throughout the innings. Van Voorst capped her impressive all-round display with figures of 3 for 1 in two overs. Ziya Mohanlall supported with 2 for 19 from four overs, while Miya Lalor, Bruzaan Goosen, Kananello Mokoena and Ashleigh van Wyk each picked up a wicket to sustain pressure.
The emphatic win highlighted the balance within the South Africa Women Under-19 squad and their effective execution in both batting and bowling. With momentum on their side, they will look to build on this performance in the remainder of the tournament, while Ghana Women will aim to regroup and improve their batting consistency.
