In a nerve-jangling showdown at the Kwibuka Women’s Cricket Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, Nigeria’s senior women’s cricket team stunned defending champions Uganda with a gripping 5-run victory on Wednesday.
It was a low-scoring affair that had the crowd roaring, a game that twisted and turned before Nigeria ultimately broke Uganda’s six-match winning streak in dramatic fashion.
Uganda won the toss and chose to field at the iconic Gahanga A Oval. Nigeria’s top-order batter, the ever-dependable Kehinde Amusa, once again rose to the occasion—steadily compiling 33 runs off 54 deliveries. Salome Sunday offered some support with 14 from 25 balls, but the rest of the batting line-up struggled to get going.
At the close of their innings, Nigeria could only manage a modest 73 for 9 in 20 overs—a total that looked easily chasable on paper.
But cricket, as always, isn’t played on paper.
Uganda looked to be coasting towards their target until the closing moments of the match. The tension skyrocketed as Nigeria’s bowlers tightened their grip, pushing the game into the final overs with everything to play for.
With just 6 runs needed off the last 12 balls and four wickets in hand, Uganda seemed on the brink of victory. Then came the turning point.
Lilian Ude was given the penultimate over—and she delivered a sensational maiden wicket, applying the brakes just when Uganda had begun to accelerate.
In the final over, Anointed Akhigbe produced pure magic—snatching three quick wickets to dismantle the Ugandan innings and bowl them out for 68.
A 5-run win for Nigeria, sealed in breathtaking fashion.
Speaking after the thrilling contest, Nigerian captain Favour Eseigbe praised her side’s discipline and focus: “We just stuck to our game plan and executed it when it mattered most.”
“We had a low total to defend and at some point the game was slipping through our hands and I told my players that ‘he who is down should not be afraid of falling’ So, we decided to apply ourselves more in the game and stick to the basics, as we had nothing to lose and the result turned out in our favour,” Ms Eseigbe noted.
On her part, the captain of the Ugandan side, Janet Mbabazi, praised the fighting spirit of the Nigerian team, acknowledging their resilience and determination. She added that Uganda would learn from the defeat and come back stronger in their next outing.
“I felt it was a target we could chase, but it is a game and sometimes, things do not work in your favour. So, I congratulate Nigeria. We will be back stronger,” Ms Mbabazi said.
Now in its 11th edition, the tournament features nine participating teams and is held in honour of the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
