ZIMBABWE Women powered their way into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025 with a ruthless 10-wicket win over Nigeria Women at the HP Oval in Windhoek on Wednesday.
The star of the day was Josephine Nkomo, who tore through Nigeria’s batting line-up with a career-best spell of five wickets for just six runs. Her precision and control left Nigeria reeling and set the tone for a dominant Zimbabwe performance.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Nigeria got off to a nightmare start. Both openers were dismissed for ducks, Kehinde Amusa edging behind to Modester Mupachikwa and Lucky Piet bowled by Nomvelo Sibanda. Nkomo then returned to castle Salome Sunday for one, reducing Nigeria to three for three inside four overs.
Although Sarah Etim fought back with a quickfire 25 off 22 balls and Oseyande Omonkhobio added 16, the rest of the line-up had no answers to Zimbabwe’s relentless attack. Nkomo ran riot in the middle overs, striking twice in two balls to dismiss Peculiar Agboya (12) and Christabel Chukwuonye (0) before later removing Omonkhobio. Nigeria eventually folded for just 90 runs in 19.5 overs.
Nkomo’s figures stood out as the highlight – 5/6 in four overs, backed by Sibanda (1/7) and Francisca Chipare (1/15).
In reply, Zimbabwe’s openers made the chase look effortless. Kelis Ndhlovu struck seven boundaries in her unbeaten 44 off 46 balls, while Mupachikwa added a steady 36 not out from 40 deliveries. The pair guided Zimbabwe to 93 without loss in 14.2 overs, sealing a flawless 10-wicket victory.
The win means Zimbabwe top Group A with a perfect record after earlier triumphs over Namibia and Sierra Leone. They now face Uganda in Thursday’s semi-final, with a place at next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal on the line.
