AFP - 6 September 2000

NAIROBI, Sept 6 (AFP) - Just when they looked as if they had victory within their grasp, South African cricketeers collapsed to lose by four runs to Uganda in their Africa Cup cricket one-day tournament match at Nairobi's Impala club on Wednesday.

But both countries qualified for Friday's semi-finals, alongside hosts Kenya and Zimbabwe.

The South African team is an invitation XI made up of players nominated by their provinces. Many currently attend their various provincial academies and one or teo have played provincial cricket.

After winning the toss and putting Uganda to bat, the South Africans, led by Allan McLaren, restricted the East Africans to a paltry score of 165 for nine in 50 overs.

Uganda had made a slow start when they lost easy early wickets. Opening batsmen Charles Lwanga and Joel Olwenye fell to South African bowler Teon Caraulus, who claimed three wickets for 28.

Matters were made worse when their star batsman, Nehal Bibodi, suffered a concussion after being hit on the face with the ball. Bibodi was rushed to hospital for some stitches.

It was tit-for-tat as Caraulus was run out by Lwanga for three in the South African batting. Simon Nsubuga played a pivotal role in the Ugandan attack, claiming three South African wickets, while his namesake Francis Nsubuga took two.

© AFP