Uganda’s Chandiga captures Africa’s Billiards Café Double Life crown in Zambia

In a dramatic four-day showdown defined by tension, talent, tactical brilliance and precision, Uganda’s Ceasar Chandiga aka “The Scorpion” rose above Africa’s elite to capture the coveted Africa Billiards Café Classic Double Life Championship in Zambia, along with the tournament’s top cash prize.

Uganda fielded one of the tournament’s deepest squads, which also had to face off at one point.

Other Uganda’s sharpshooters on the squad were: Rashid Wagaba, Joseph Kasozi, Ian Kazibwe, Geoffrey Ssetumba, Denis Ongom, Uthman Bukenya, and the 14-year-old prodigy Herbert Mukisa.

One of the most nerve-shredding moments came early when Chandiga was forced to battle national teammate and close friend Rashid Wagaba, commonly known as “Dog City”.

The two cue gurus traded frame after frame until they arrived at a razor-thin 9-9 deadlock.

In the decisive final frame, Chandiga used a lot of precision eliminating his captain to book a place in the next round.

The tournament also delivered one of its most heart-stirring subplots when 14-year-old Ugandan prodigy Herbert Mukisa “The Young Scorpion” stepped up to face the 28-year-old South African powerhouse Jerry Naido “The Green Machine” in the round of 16.

Mukisa’s presence alone brought the arena to a standstill, with other players pausing their own matches to witness the continent’s youngest rising star confront a feared opponent.

Despite a fearless performance, the teenager bowed out 9-7 as Naido’s experience ultimately prevailed.

Chandiga’s walk to the title continued with commanding performances, including an 11-6 victory over Malawi’s Greiven Standford Ginte in the First Life Final.

Ceasar Chandiga (left) receiving his trophy. (Credit: Jeff Andrew Lule)

One of his most significant wins came against Zambia’s Royd Kabwe, fresh off his CueMasters Championship triumph in Tanzania earlier this year, whom Chandiga dispatched 9-4.

But the road to the grand finale was not that straightforward.

In the Second Life quarterfinals, Chandiga suffered a narrow 11–9 loss to Naido, forcing him to fight his way back through the First Life bracket.

Steeled by the pressure, he clawed his way into the championship match for a highly anticipated rematch with “The Green Machine.”

In the grand finale giants face off

The final, a race to 13, opened with fireworks. Chandiga delivered a clinical break-and-finish in the first frame, drawing roars from his Zambian fans. Naido retaliated in kind, notching his own break-and-finish before edging ahead 2-1 and later 4-3 after a perfectly executed red-apple break and finish.

But from that point on, “The Scorpion” began to dance with the table. His cue ball movement, smooth, calculated, and almost poetic, shifted the momentum entirely.

After a pivotal moment in which Jerry missed a black in the eighth frame, Chandiga swept through the racks with growing command, piling on frame after frame until he built a 9-4 lead.

Naidoo snatched one more frame to narrow the margin to 9-5, but Chandiga was already locked in.

The Ugandan unleashed what fans now call his “beast mode,” storming through the final four frames with ruthless precision to seal a resounding 13-5 victory.

As the final black disappeared into the pocket, the arena exploded into noise, with fans rising to their feet and chanting, “Ceasar man! Ceasar man! The Scorpion that stings!”
Chandiga hoisted the diamond trophy amid thunderous cheers from both Ugandan supporters and newly converted Zambian fans.

Along with the title, he pocketed $4,000 and etched his name into the history of winning the Billiards Café Classic Double Life Championship.

Naidoo finished as runner-up, with Zambia’s Kabwe taking third place and Malawi’s Ginte fourth, an elite foursome widely regarded as some of the finest cue artists on the continent.

Chandiga and Naido, who are also friends, have been long-time rivals in competitions across South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in various competitions and money matches, meeting for about 17 times.