The WBSC Africa Youth Baseball5 African Championships officially began on home soil at the Western Cape Sports School in Cape Town. Hosted by South Africa Baseball, the day started with a grand opening ceremony attended by a host of dignitaries and sports leaders.
The ceremony was opened by the WBSC Africa President, Mr. Albert Frimpong, together with WBSC Africa Secretary General, Mr. Francis Karugu, and the President of South African Baseball, Dr. Marc Moreau. They were joined by Mr. Thabo Tutu and Mr. Claude Meyer from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Mr. Juniad Baig, Chairman of the Cape Town Sport Council, and Mr. Kevin Johnson, President of Cape Town Baseball. Their presence underscored the importance of this event, not only for Baseball5 but also for African sports development.
The tournament, which features teams from Tunisia, Ghana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and South Africa, marks a key milestone as the top two teams will qualify for the WBSC Baseball5 Youth World Cup in Mexico later this year.
South Africa opened the tournament with an exciting match against Lesotho. South Africa won the first set 10–2, but faced a challenge in the second set, losing 5–8. With the vocal support of the home crowd, the team came back with a commanding 15–0 win in the third set to secure a 2–1 victory.
In the second match, Kenya and Zimbabwe clashed in a fast-paced contest. Kenya controlled the game with a decisive 15–2 win in the first set and edged Zimbabwe 2–1 in the second set to claim a 2–0 victory.
Tunisia faced Ghana in the third game of the day, showcasing their experience from multiple World Cup appearances. Their composed and tactical approach earned them a 2–0 victory with set scores of 5–0 and 5–2. Ghana displayed their trademark physicality throughout the game and will look to build on their performance as the tournament progresses.
In their second match of the day, South Africa returned to take on Zimbabwe. The home team displayed great teamwork, winning the first set 14–4. The second set was a closer contest, but South Africa held their nerve to win 6–5, securing a 2–0 victory and their second win of the day. Zimbabwe brought energy and enthusiasm to the game, singing and supporting each other throughout the match, showcasing their strong team spirit.
The final match of the day saw Tunisia play Lesotho. Tunisia’s consistent and sharp execution led them to win 22–2 in the first set and 9–1 in the second set, earning another 2–0 victory. Despite the loss, Lesotho’s vibrant singing and camaraderie brought an infectious energy to the tournament.
At the end of Day 1, South Africa and Tunisia led the standings with two wins each, while Kenya impressed with their opening victory. Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Lesotho will aim to regroup and fight back on Day 2.
South Africa’s young team has made an excellent start, representing the nation with determination and passion. With the support of our passionate fans and the guidance of South Africa Baseball, the team looks forward to continuing their journey toward World Cup qualification.
Day 2 promises more exciting matchups and fierce competition. Let’s continue to back our team as they represent South Africa with pride and unity!
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