Day Two of the WBSC Africa Youth Baseball5 African Championships was filled with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. Ghana opened the day with a confident 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe, dominating both sets (11-1, 14-0). Kenya followed suit with a commanding 2-0 win over Lesotho, showcasing their power with set scores of 29-4 and 25-2. Tunisia continued their strong form by defeating Zimbabwe 2-0, with a clinical display earning set wins of 12-2 and 14-3. However, the highlight of the day came in the final match, where South Africa faced tournament favorites Tunisia in a battle that will be remembered for years.
The South African youth team, coached by Reece Groenewald, entered the match knowing that Tunisia could be a physically dominant side, renowned for their power hitting and accuracy. Determined to dictate the pace, South Africa ensured the match was played on their terms right from the outset. Despite a rocky start where Tunisia claimed the first set 7-1, South Africa’s resilience and tactical adjustments shone through. Backed by a passionate home crowd and a spirited sideline of teammates who truly embodied the “Gees” of South African support, the youth team roared back to win the second set 8-1, leveling the match and setting up a tense final set.
The decisive set was a nail-biting affair, with both teams trading blows in a tightly contested showdown. South Africa’s composure under pressure ultimately made the difference as they edged out Tunisia 5-4 to claim a stunning 2-1 victory. This result preserved South Africa’s unbeaten record and demonstrated their ability to compete with the best teams on the continent.
Fans turned out in numbers to support the South African team, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the players to deliver their best. The spirit and determination shown by the team not only secured a significant win but also sent a message that South Africa is a serious contender in this competition.
The WBSC Africa Youth Baseball5 African Championships continues until 12 January 2025 at the Western Cape Sports School in Cape Town, South Africa, with the finals set to take place on the same day. The South African team will look to carry their momentum forward as they aim to secure one of the two qualification spots for the WBSC Baseball5 Youth World Cup.
– Ghana 2-0 Zimbabwe (11-1, 14-0)
– Kenya 2-0 Lesotho (29-4, 25-2)
– Tunisia 2-0 Zimbabwe (12-2, 14-3)
– Ghana 2-1 Kenya (5-1, 3-4, 3-2)
– South Africa 2-1 Tunisia (1-7, 8-1, 5-4)
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