Uganda’s cue sport icon Ceasar Chandiga “The Scorpion” delivered one of the most electrifying performances African pool has seen in years, stinging South Africa’s feared giant Jerry Naidoo “The Bulldozer/Green Machine” to claim the prestigious Africa Billiards Café Classic Double Life Championship crown in Lusaka, Zambia.
After four days of pressure cooker action, dramatic comebacks, and all Ugandan clashes, Chandiga rose above the continent’s finest to capture the diamond trophy and the USD cash top prize, sending the Zambian arena into wild celebrations.
One of the tournament’s most emotional battles came when national team captain Rashid Wagaba “Dog City” had to face his own teammate and friend, “The Scorpion”.
The gripping duel went level at 9-9 before Chandiga, with ice-cold nerves, sealed a clutch decider to merging the winner.
The tournament also witnessed the rise of Uganda’s 14-year-old sensation Herbert Mukisa, who stunned the hall by pushing the mighty Jerry Naidoo into a tense showdown. All matches paused just to watch the teenager take on one of Africa’s most feared cueists.
Mukisa eventually fell 9–7, but left Zambia as one of the continent’s brightest young stars.
Ceasar sinks African titans to the finale
Chandiga maintained ruthless form, dispatching Malawi’s Greiven Standford Ginte 11-6 in the First Life Final and dismantling Zambia’s home favourite Royd Kabwe 9-4.
But the road to the grand finale took an unexpected twist. Jerry Naidoo edged Ceasar 11-9 in the Second Life quarterfinals, forcing the Ugandan maestro to use his other life leading to him to a rematch in grand finale.
The Grand Finale: Scorpion vs. Green Machine
The championship race to 13 opened with fireworks: Chandiga delivered a break-and-run in the first frame to ignite the crowd. Jerry struck back instantly with a break-and-run of his own, leveling 1-1 within minutes.
The exchanges were razor sharp. Jerry led 4-3 after a slick break red-apple in the seventh frame. But after a crucial miss on potting the black in frame eight, the tide turned, and Ceasar pounced back.
From that moment, The Scorpion dominated the table, dancing the cue ball with surgical precision. He swept through the next frames, surging to a commanding 9-4 lead.
Jerry pulled one back making 5-9, but that would be his last moment of hope.
Chandiga unleashed a devastating final run of four straight frames, sealing a thunderous 13–5 victory that sent the Zambian arena into chaos as fans, Ugandan teammates, and Zambian supporters celebrated their adopted star.
Ceasar is no stranger to Zambia. He previously played professionally for one of the country’s major pool clubs, where he spent about two years before returning to Uganda. In many ways, he has become a respected figure locally, commanding a substantial fan base.
“Ceasar, Ceasar, Ceasar!” is the chant that often erupts from the jubilant crowd, later alone after potting his last winning black. Many rushed to to congragulate him and take some selfies with him.
The Final Podium
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Champion: Ceasar “The Scorpion” Chandiga (Uganda)
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Runner-up: Jerry “The Green Machine” Naidoo (South Africa)
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3rd Place: Royd Kabwe (Zambia)
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4th Place: Greiven Ginte (Malawi)
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5th Place: Steven Banda(Zambia)
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6th Place: Malvern Mukonza(Zimbabwe)
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7th Place: Timothy Onida(Zimbabwe)
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8th Place: Kelvin Nkandu (Zambia)
Chandiga’s triumph is even more remarkable considering Jerry Naidoo has historically held the slight edge in their head-to-head encounters across South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
But in Lusaka, the Scorpion flipped the script, and announced himself as Africa’s new cue king.
