The WBSC Africa Youth Baseball5 African Championships concluded in Cape Town with thrilling matches that showcased the rising talent of African youth teams. Despite falling short of qualifying for the 2025 WBSC Baseball5 Youth World Cup, South Africa delivered a spirited performance as the host nation, buoyed by unwavering support from the home crowd.
The final day began with the placement match for 5th and 6th place, where Zimbabwe defeated Lesotho convincingly in two sets (11-7, 17-2). The event’s energy quickly built up as the semi-finals took center stage.
South Africa’s semi-final clash against Ghana was an uphill battle. Despite the vocal support from the stands, the South African team was unable to overcome the determined Ghanaian side, losing 5-1 and 7-3 in two sets. Meanwhile, the second semi-final saw Kenya and Tunisia go head-to-head in a dramatic three-set encounter. Tunisia pushed Kenya to the brink, but the East Africans held their nerve to win 3-2, 8-7, 2-7, securing their spot in the final.
In the bronze medal match, South Africa faced Tunisia in another thrilling contest. The home team put up a strong fight, narrowly winning the first set 8-7, but Tunisia regrouped and took the next two sets 7-2 and 11-1 to claim third place.
The grand final between Ghana and Kenya brought the tournament to a spectacular close. Both teams played with passion and determination, but Ghana emerged as champions with a 2-0 victory (8-5, 5-2). The result secured Ghana and Kenya’s qualification for the 2025 WBSC Baseball5 Youth World Cup in Mexico.
South African Baseball fans were thrilled to see national head coach Neil Adonis, along with Paul van der Merwe and national players Dayle Feldtman and Tyron Brickhill, in attendance to show their support. Their presence added an extra layer of excitement and inspiration for the home team and fans alike.
Although South Africa narrowly missed out on the podium, the event was a tremendous success for the host nation. It highlighted the growing enthusiasm for Baseball5 across the country and brought local fans closer to the action. The South African Baseball Federation can take pride in hosting an exceptional tournament that showcased the immense talent on the continent and raised the profile of the sport across Africa.
The South African youth team will undoubtedly build on this experience as they look ahead to future opportunities on the international stage. Their spirited performance and the home crowd’s energy demonstrated the potential for Baseball5 to grow even further in South Africa.
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