Nigeria’s Female YellowGreens concluded their 2026 Kwibuka Women’s T20i Tournament campaign in Rwanda with a well-deserved third-place finish, defeating Brazil Women by two wickets in the playoff match at the Gahanga International Stadium in Kigali.
While the podium finish was the ultimate reward, the tournament also showcased the emergence and consistency of several Nigerian stars who delivered standout performances with bat, ball, and in the field throughout the competition.
Leading the charge was all-rounder Christabel Chukwuonye, whose outstanding performances established her as one of the tournament’s premier players. Chukwuonye finished as Nigeria’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in nine matches, making her one of the most successful bowlers at the tournament. Beyond her bowling exploits, she also contributed 89 runs and remained a reliable presence in the field with four dismissals. Her overall impact saw her finish as Nigeria’s highest-ranked player on the tournament MVP standings with a total rating of 42.98 points.
Her brilliance was once again on display in the third-place playoff against Brazil, where she claimed three wickets for just 13 runs, including a maiden over, earning the Player of the Match award and laying the foundation for Nigeria’s victory.
Captain Favour Eseigbe also enjoyed a remarkable tournament. The Nigerian skipper led from the front with the ball, finishing with 15 wickets across nine matches while maintaining her influence both on and off the field. Her unbeaten 19 runs in the bronze medal match guided Nigeria through a tense chase against Brazil and highlighted her leadership qualities under pressure.
Reflecting on the team’s achievement after the match, Eseigbe praised the collective effort of the squad.
“We lost about four games before this third-place match, but we were determined to finish strongly. We told ourselves that we would either take something home or go home empty-handed. Everybody contributed today, and I am proud of the team’s effort.”
Another standout performer for Nigeria was Shola Adekunnle, who played a crucial all-round role throughout the tournament. She finished as Nigeria’s third-highest MVP performer, scoring 100 runs and claiming 10 wickets. Her contributions proved invaluable, particularly in pressure situations. In the playoff against Brazil, Adekunnle top-scored with 26 runs and also picked up two wickets to help steer Nigeria to victory.
The batting department was spearheaded by Esther Sandy and Salome Sunday, who emerged as Nigeria’s leading run scorers. Esther finished with 159 runs, including a tournament-best score of 63, while Salome accumulated 152 runs across nine innings. Their consistency at the top of the order provided stability throughout the campaign and often gave Nigeria strong platforms to compete.
Behind the stumps, wicketkeeper Etim Sarah Ekwere proved to be one of the most effective fielders at the tournament. She recorded an impressive 13 dismissals, including five stumpings, showcasing her sharp reflexes and excellent game awareness. Her performances reinforced the strength of Nigeria’s fielding unit, which remained one of the team’s strongest assets throughout the competition.
The bowling unit demonstrated impressive depth beyond Chukwuonye and Eseigbe. Ude Lilian and Oseyande Omonkhobho each claimed eight wickets, while Rachael Samson contributed six wickets despite playing fewer matches. Together, they formed a balanced attack capable of troubling even the strongest batting line-ups in the tournament.
One of the most encouraging aspects of Nigeria’s campaign was the emergence of a genuine team-first mentality. While individual performances stood out, the squad consistently relied on collective contributions. This was evident in the playoff victory against Brazil, where bowlers, batters, and fielders all made significant contributions to secure the win.
Speaking after receiving her Player of the Match award, Christabel Chukwuonye credited her teammates for her success.
“It is very satisfying because I could feel the encouragement from my teammates. It wasn’t easy at first, but the motivation and support from everyone helped me through. There are many positives from this tournament, and we will take those lessons home, improve, and come back stronger.”
Nigeria’s bronze medal finish is another positive step in the continued growth of women’s cricket in the country. The performances of Chukwuonye, Eseigbe, Adekunnle, Esther Sandy, Salome Sunday, Etim Sarah Ekwere, Ude Lilian, Oseyande Omonkhobho, and several others underline the increasing depth and quality within the Female YellowGreens setup.
As the team returns home from Kigali, they do so with more than medals. They carry valuable international experience, confidence gained from competing against quality opposition, and proof that Nigerian women’s cricket continues to make significant strides on the continental stage.
The Kwibuka Women’s T20i Tournament may be over, but for the Female YellowGreens, the journey towards greater achievements has only just begun.