Nigeria’s Female Yellow Greens will face tournament hosts Rwanda in a decisive encounter on Saturday, as they continue their push for a semi-final berth in the ongoing 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20i Tournament in Kigali.
The Nigerian side, coached by Leke Oyede, bounced back from consecutive defeats to Zimbabwe and Brazil with a thrilling two-wicket win over Tanzania on Thursday at the Gahanga 2 Oval.
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The hard-fought victory marked their first of the campaign, lifting them to sixth place on the tournament log and reigniting hopes of a top-four finish.
In a round-robin format involving nine teams, only the top four will progress to the semi-finals.
Saturday’s tie against Rwanda is seen as pivotal to Nigeria’s campaign, with a win significantly boosting their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
Nigeria’s spirited performance against Tanzania showcased the team’s growing resilience and development, particularly after falling short in their opening games.
The win over the East Africans was also their first in recent encounters, underlining their continued progress on the continental stage.
The Kwibuka T20 tournament, inaugurated in 2014, is a memorial event held annually in Rwanda to honor the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The competition has grown into a key fixture in women’s cricket in Africa, featuring top teams from across the continent. Kenya remains the most successful team with four titles, while Rwanda has lifted the trophy once. Uganda clinched the title in 2024, with Zimbabwe finishing as runners-up.
For Nigeria, the tournament also serves as a preparatory ground for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, offering valuable match experience and international exposure.
The clash against Rwanda promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with home support expected to rally behind the hosts. However, Nigeria will aim to build on Thursday’s momentum and secure the crucial win needed to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
