The Walvis Bay Salt Eagles wrapped up their ICC Under-Nineteen Men's Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier campaign with a spirited four-wicket win over Kenya in Lagos, Nigeria.
While Namibia narrowly missed out on a place at the 2026 World Cup, the team leaves the tournament with heads held high after a series of courageous performances.
Kenya won the toss and opted to bat first in the final match of the qualifiers. Namibia's bowlers wasted no time in asserting their dominance, bowling Kenya out for just eighty-three runs in twenty-one overs. In response, the Salt Eagles chased down the target with determination, reaching eighty-seven for six to seal a well-deserved four-wicket victory.
The win marks the end of a hard-fought journey for Namibia in the qualifiers. Their campaign began with a dramatic ten-run win over hosts Nigeria, followed by a convincing forty-six-run triumph over Sierra Leone.
A narrow loss to Tanzania was followed by a strong comeback against Uganda, where Namibia secured a seventy-six-run victory after a dominant all-round display.
Despite finishing just short of qualification, the young Eagles showed resilience, talent, and growth throughout the tournament. From clutch performances under pressure to consistent team effort, they proved they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Tanzania, who defeated Namibia earlier in the tournament, ended their campaign unbeaten. They clinched the sole qualification spot from the Africa region after a commanding ninety-eight-run victory over Sierra Leone.
This historic achievement sees Tanzania qualify for their first-ever ICC Under-Nineteen Men's Cricket World Cup.
They join hosts Zimbabwe and ten Full Member nations who have already secured spots in the 2026 edition, set to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
As for Namibia, the journey does not end there.
The performance of the Salt Eagles at the qualifiers is a sign of promise for the future of Namibian cricket.
With the support of dedicated coaches, loyal fans, and passionate families, the foundations have been laid for even greater success ahead.