Nigeria’s female cricketers shine in Rwanda

Josephine Nwachukwu

They didn’t just play in Kigali—they came to torch expectations and bulldoze boundaries. Nigeria’s Female Yellow Greens rewrote the rules with every swing, every wicket, and every roar.

At the 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20i Tournament in Rwanda, Nigeria’s women’s cricket team finished with five victories out of eight games, turning heads and shifting narratives. What they lacked in a semi-final slot, they made up for in undeniable presence, performance, and promise.

Fresh from domestic action at the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, the Yellow Greens stormed the international stage between June 3 and 14 with growing confidence and a tenacious mindset. Ranked 5th overall, their campaign told a bigger story—of evolution, unity, and fire.

Their tournament opener against Zimbabwe’s High-Performance Centre was a heartbreaker. Skipper Favour Eseigbe won the toss and sent Zimbabwe in to bat. Nigeria’s bowlers—Rachael Samson (3/24), Lilian Ude (2/10), and debutant Kehinde Amusa (1/15)—kept the target tight at 104/8. But the chase fell just six runs short. Gutsy efforts from Sarah Etim (19), Amusa (17), and Ude (16) weren’t quite enough.

The second match against Brazil was cut short by rain. Nigeria had posted 92 and had Brazil shaking at 59/5 when the weather stepped in. The DLS method handed Brazil a narrow six-run win—another narrow escape.

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But Nigeria rallied. Against Tanzania, they choked the opposition to 82/9, then chased it down at 83/8. Salome Sunday’s explosive 53 off 36 balls—the highest score by a Nigerian in the tournament—lit the way. Supported by Esther Sandy (23 off 15) and Amusa (19 off 12), Nigeria registered their first win. Amusa also bagged 2/4 and her first Player of the Match award.

Facing a polished Rwandan side next, Nigeria faltered. The hosts posted 114/7 and bowled Nigeria out for 74—a 40-run defeat and a sharp reminder of the standards at the top.

Then came the firestorm

In game five, Nigeria crushed Cameroon with a 104-run margin—their biggest of the tournament. They racked up 140/4 and dismantled Cameroon for just 38. That win unlocked a new gear.

Next, they clashed with Sierra Leone in a West African derby. After posting 104, Nigeria’s bowlers restricted their regional rivals to 68. Amusa—again—delivered both with bat (23 runs) and ball (2 wickets), claiming her second Player of the Match award.

Then came the rematch that shook the tournament: Nigeria vs. Uganda. Memories of their bronze clash in the 2023 African Games were fresh. Nigeria struggled to 73/9, but their bowlers ignited. In a fiery final over, Anointed Akhigbe sealed a stunning hat-trick and finished with 3/11, while Samson added 3/16. Uganda collapsed to 68—all out. Victory by five runs. Akhigbe: Player of the Match. The dugout erupted.

In their final game, Nigeria kept their cool. A composed performance saw them defeat Malawi by 46 runs, with contributions from Peace Usen and others rounding out the tournament on a high.

Kehinde Amusa emerged as a breakout star, combining explosive hitting with controlled bowling.

Lilian Ude was the silent enforcer, tightening the screws with every over.

Salome Sunday had the innings of the tournament—and inspired more than a few new fans back home.

Anointed Akhigbe cemented her name in highlight reels with one magical over.

Nigeria may not have lifted the trophy or reached the semi-finals, but they walked away with something deeper: reputation, belief, and momentum.

All eyes now turn to Namibia in August for the ICC Africa Division 1 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. This time, the Female Yellow Greens are not here to surprise anyone—they’re here to stake their claim.

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