When the news filtered through that our beloved game was going to make a representation at the 13th Africa Games in Ghana, it was greeted with so much ecstasy and anticipation. It was going to be a first-of-its-kind occurrence and many stakeholders were determined to experience it. As usual, we had eyes and boots on the ground to witness the beauty that unfolded in the picturesque city of Accra. Some of those sights in Accra, we have brought to you in a summary in case you were unable to see them happen.
As the various teams left their shores for the Gold Coast, there would have been different weights of expectations on the shoulders of every participant. However, one thing was common to everyone that was going to take part; and it was that they were going to be making history. Cricket was making a first-ever appearance at the "African Olympics" and that was to some, more than winning a medal. Being listed as an inaugural participant was worth the same to some as winning the medal. And so for the three medalists, the feeling must have gone beyond explainable to have the first-ever cricket medal from an All Africa Games.
To all the participants, we say a big congratulations to you for etching your names into the annals of cricket history.
Expectations were indeed different, but some countries seemed to have had their expectations thrown out of the window almost as soon as they stepped down from the plane at the airport. For the women, it was expected that the top-ranked sides South Africa and Zimbabwe would be the ones that did the duel at the finals and they even had to be separated by a Super Over which Zimbabwe Women eventually won. What was not expected, was the inability of Namibia to make it out of their group. They propped the table in a group that contained Tanzania and Nigeria, both of which are ranked below the Namibian side. The only game that the Namibian women won was a rain-affected game against the eventual silver medalists South Africa.
If the hopes of the South Africans fell short in the women's game, it must have been utterly shattered in the men's game. Having presented an "Emerging Side" for the men's competition, the administrators must have realised quickly that they made a huge mistake with the decision. Africa Games is a proper battleground, not a testing ground, and the South African side must have come to that realisation only after they crushed the hosts Ghana in their opening challenge.
Humiliating defeats to Kenya and Uganda prompted the African powerhouse to request that the national status of their men's team be downgraded to "University Sport South Africa" in a bid to correct their gaffe. Hopefully, they have acknowledged the enormity of their decision and what the Games mean to other countries and will be presenting a more fearsome team at the next edition.
Nigeria ladies were ranked 8th out of the 8 countries being represented in cricket at the games. So the expectation for them from their fans back in Lagos would have been reasonably achievable: and that would be not to lose their games too woefully. One or two "not out" innings in a losing cause would have meant they held their heads high amidst the intimidating field they found themselves in. These ladies however had other plans. They were not satisfied with just chiselling their names into the rocks of history, they wanted something to take to their fans back home. When their opening game against Tanzania yielded them a point due to the weather disruption, many thought they had over-achieved - registering a point at the Africa Games. But when against Namibia they pulled off an improbable victory, they had already won a medal in the minds of tens of thousands around the world. But again, the ladies wanted more. The icing on the cake was their fairytale victory in the third-place playoff over Uganda to clinch the bronze medal.
How fitting was the stage too, as their longest-serving player, inspirational captain and national legend, Blessing Etim drew the curtains on her illustrious playing career, bowing out in style to the loudest ovation of her stellar career. We wish her nothing but the very best in the next chapter of her life.
They were meant to follow the path that had already been paved by their female counterparts but the Nigerian men will continue to live with the thought that they may have missed a golden opportunity to write their names too in the sands of time. After beating a Namibia team that beat Tanzania to whom they succumbed by 47 runs, there would be a lingering sense of disappointment among the men from the West African nation about their loss to the Tanzanians.
Had they won that game, a place would have been guaranteed for them in the semis of the tournament. Hopefully, when they get the chance again, they will make better use of it.
One of the most recognisable faces, gaits and heights on this continent when it comes to officiating is that of Enesi Amoto Habib from Nigeria. The man has been steadily staking a claim for umpires from Nigeria with his impressive performances on the continent. And in Accra, clocking 20 T20i games was another feather to his already feathery hat. Among the best hands in Africa, Enesi once again stood tall to deliver impeccably in yet another international tournament.
Now that Ghana has set these standards so high that we are still trying to recover from its content and execution, Egypt is already bidding us welcome and promising another exciting chapter in the continent's sporting journey. So, see you all in Cairo in 2027.