In a gripping encounter at the 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament, Nigeria’s Female Yellow Greens fell just short, losing to Zimbabwe by six runs in their opening match held at the Gahanga 2 Cricket Oval in Rwanda on Tuesday.
The Nigerian side displayed notable determination against the more experienced Zimbabwean team, underscoring their growing presence in international women’s cricket.
Captain Favour Eseigbe won the toss and elected to field first, with Zimbabwe setting a target of 104 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 105 for victory, Eseigbe led from the front with an unbeaten 21 runs, anchoring the innings despite regular wickets tumbling around her. The Nigerian batters showed fighting spirit and kept the contest alive until the final overs.
With seven runs needed from the last over, Zimbabwe’s bowlers held firm, executing their deliveries with precision and ultimately sealing a narrow win as Nigeria closed their innings at 98 for 7 after 20 overs.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Leke Oyede expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory and emphasized the importance of learning from such tightly contested games as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.
“This experience is crucial for the players’ development and the team’s growth. It serves as a solid foundation as we gear up for the World Cup qualifiers in August,” Oyede remarked.
The Female Yellow Greens are set to face Brazil in their second group match on Wednesday (today).
The tournament features nine teams in a round-robin format, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.
First held in 2014, the Kwibuka T20 Tournament commemorates the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Kenya leads the tournament’s title count with four wins, while host nation Rwanda has won once. Uganda claimed the 2024 edition, with Zimbabwe finishing as runners-up.
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