Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TREVOR GARWE has spent the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier preaching patience, discipline and respect for the game.
Today, those principles will face their biggest examination when Zimbabwe meet Nigeria in the final at the Estim Ground in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The contest carries far greater significance than the tournament trophy. Africa has only one qualification place available and victory will send the Young Lady Chevrons to the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Zimbabwe booked their place in the decider with a battling 20-run victory over Uganda on Thursday.
After being restricted to 104 for nine, they refused to surrender and defended the modest total by holding Uganda to 84 for nine.
Vanessa Maedza led the attack with three wickets, while Tadiwanashe Garutsa and Christina Mutasa claimed two apiece as Zimbabwe maintained their perfect record in the competition.
The performance captured the qualities Garwe has repeatedly highlighted throughout the campaign, resilience, collective responsibility and the ability to remain in the contest when under pressure.
“The ladies are fighting hard. That is one thing we have as a group. They fight, and they don’t give up,” said Garwe.
“That is the attitude we try to encourage. We just hope they can keep that momentum going and always stay in the fight and stay in the game.
“It’s a plus for you as a coach when you have a group that fights until the last run or the last wicket.”
Zimbabwe will need that resolve against a Nigerian side which has also won all four matches at the qualifier.
Nigeria topped Group A before cruising past Rwanda by nine wickets in the semi-final. They dismissed Rwanda for 65 in 19.1 overs and reached 66 for one in 10.4 overs, with captain Christabel Chukwuonye claiming four wickets for six runs.
Garwe, however, does not want his players distracted by Nigeria’s record or the magnitude of the occasion.
His message has remained consistent: concentrate on the immediate task, execute the basics and allow the result to take care of itself.
“Our focus is on executing our plans rather than worrying too much about the opposition,” he said.
“We continue to remind the players to respect the game and their opponents because that leaves no room for complacency.
“We are not looking too far ahead. Winning the final and qualifying for the 2027 World Cup remains our ultimate goal, but we want the players to approach the tournament one match at a time.”
That approach has served Zimbabwe well.
They opened their campaign with a 51-run victory over Rwanda before overwhelming Kenya by 79 runs. A five-wicket triumph over Namibia completed an unbeaten group campaign and set up the semi-final against Uganda.
Different players have delivered at important stages.
Lorraine Pemhiwa struck 70 against Rwanda, while Beloved Biza took four wickets for 14 runs in the same match. Biza then scored 40 and claimed two wickets for one run against Kenya.
Buhlebenkosi Maposa took three for 18 against Namibia, with Garutsa anchoring the chase through an unbeaten 31.
When the batting faltered against Uganda, the bowlers again carried the side.
“Our bowling has been outstanding because we have dismissed the opposition, but the batting has also made an important contribution,” Garwe said.
“Different players have stepped up and contributed throughout the tournament, which is a sign of a strong and balanced team.”
The batting remains Zimbabwe’s principal concern. The top order has not consistently produced the starts Garwe expected, while the team lost wickets regularly before struggling to 104 against Uganda.
Garwe acknowledged the problem earlier in the competition but expressed confidence that his batters would improve as they became accustomed to the conditions.
“As a team, I don’t think we have played our best game so far,” he said.
“If we look at our batting, our top order hasn’t clicked as much as we would have wanted or as much as they have been performing.
“I think that is the only concern. I am sure as they get used to the conditions here, we will definitely see a massive improvement in those areas.”
Zimbabwe now have one final opportunity to produce the complete performance Garwe has been waiting for.
The Young Lady Chevrons have won comfortably, survived difficult moments and found different match-winners during their journey to the final.
Only Nigeria stand between them and the World Cup.
“This team has shown that it knows how to win matches,” Garwe said.
“Even when we are under pressure, the players find a way to get over the line, and that has been one of the most impressive aspects of our campaign.
“We are in a good space as a group, and confidence within the camp is high. If we execute our plans, we believe we can cross the line.”
