Kenyan batsmen shine in Africa Cup final victory over Uganda
Kenya's national cricket team players celebrate after beating Uganda by 39 runs to win their maiden Africa Cup trophy in Kigali, Rwanda on September 19, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Against Uganda, after Kenya winning the toss and electing to bat, Kenya got off to a shaky start.
- Africa Cup is a second-tier continental tournament meant for emerging cricket nations.
Skipper Dhiren Gondaria and Brian Likavu rediscovered their touch with the bat as Kenya humbled Uganda by 39 runs to win a maiden Africa Cup on Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda.
It was sweet revenge for Kenya, who a day earlier had lost to defending champions Ugandan by 47 runs in their final preliminary round match.
Kenya also lost to Uganda by a single run in the final of the inaugural championship held in Nairobi in 2023, making Saturday’s victory sweeter.
Kenya, who are 2003 Cricket World Cup semi-finalists, missed the 2024 event due to lack of adequate funding.
In 2024, Uganda staged a successful title defence, beating Nigeria by six wickets in the final in Kigali. The championship did not take place in 2025.
On Saturday, Kenya won the toss and elected to bat. However, the team got off to a shaky start. Kenya’s top order collapsed and scored 170 runs for the loss off seven wickets before wiping Uganda all out for 131.
After a poor showing on Friday when Gondaria and Likavu fell for 11 and nine runs respectively, the players cracked 44 and 41 runs respectively on Saturday, with lower order batsman Likavu standing firm to finish the duel.
Their fast bowlers, Juma Miyagi and Enock Kasaija, plucked out Kenya’s opening batsmen Rushab Patel and third order batsman Rakep Patel for one run each at 7/1 and 24/2 respectively, before Gurdeep Singh (8) suffered in the hands of Riazat Ali Shah at 34/3.
However, second order batsman Gondaria stood firm at the crease and stabilised things with Sachin Gill before he was run out for the fourth wicket, taking Kenya to 71/4 in 9.6 overs. Gondora faced 32 balls, knocking 44 runs, among them five boundaries and two sixes.
Kenya's national cricket team players celebrate after beating Uganda by 39 runs to win their maiden Africa Cup trophy in Kigali, Rwanda on September 19, 2026.
Matthew Musinguzi then sent Gill back to the pavilion after making 22 runs off 28 deliveries to push Kenya to 84/5, but incoming batsman Sukhdeep Singh managed eight runs before being dispatched.
Likavu took to the crease to knock 41 runs off 21 balls that included four sixes and two boundaries in partnership with Francis Mutua, who made 29 runs before falling to the seventh wicket at 136/7.
Kenya’s fast pacer, Lucas Oluoch, claimed three wickets and Gill a brace to destroy Uganda’s top order as they wobbled at 25/5.
Riazat Ali Shah came in to score 54 runs off 35 balls but his partners, Kenneth Waiswa (17) and Juma Miyagi (seven) failed to give him the right tone as he fell for eighth wicket from Peter Langat’s delivery.
In total, Oluoch and Gill collected three wickets each while Shem Ngoche two for the victory.
The tournament had attracted eight teams but Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania withdrew at the last minute.
Africa Cup is a second-tier continental tournament meant for emerging cricket nations away from South Africa and Zimbabwe, who are Test-playing nations, and Namibia which has risen rapidly as a top-tier Associate Member, earning ODI status.
Kenya was once a top Associate Member of the International Cricket Council with ODI status but the country lost the privilege after a series of poor performances.
“It feels absolutely good beating the defending champions. Lifting the trophy for the first time makes it even more special,” Gondaria said, adding that the Kenyan players had self-belief and fought hard to get the job done.
“The batsmen and bowlers all worked for the victory,” he said.
Gondaria said the players should strive to carry the momentum to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Challenge League set for next month in Nairobi.
“I hope this marks the beginning of a revival for Kenya. It’s a great moment for us,” Cricket Kenya chairman, Bhavesh Gohil, observed.
“The players have shown that they have confidence in the new team at CK,” he added.
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