Nigeria’s women’s cricket team, on Saturday, defeated Rwanda by nine runs to defend their crown and retain the Patricia Kambarami Cup in a thrilling final of the Nigeria Women’s Invitational T20I in Lagos.
The tournament, named in honour of the late ICC Africa Regional Development manager and Titans Chief Operating Officer, Patricia Kambarami, celebrates women’s cricket excellence in Africa.
The final was played at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos.
Nigeria, also known as the Yellow Greens, were bowled out for 80 in their 20 overs, while Rwanda finished on 71 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.
In a closely contested encounter, Nigeria held their nerve in the closing stages to secure victory, successfully defending their title and showcasing grit, determination, and a strong champions’ mentality.
Rwanda finished second, while South Africa claimed third place in the tournament.
The president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the tournament as a major success in both organisation and team performance.
He said the tournament met key objectives, including smooth logistics, quality preparation, and providing participating teams with an exciting experience in Lagos.
“We wanted to deliver a good tournament in terms of preparation and organisation, and I can confidently say it’s a 10 over 10 for us.”
The federation boss also praised the performance of the Nigerian women’s team, noting that the players had raised their level and proven themselves among the top sides in Africa, behind only Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“I have always believed in these girls. They’ve shown they can compete at the highest level. Apart from Zimbabwe and South Africa, I don’t think any other team can match them right now,” he said.
He added that the team’s performance was even more commendable given the absence of some key players during the tournament.
In spite of an early setback against Rwanda, he noted that the team remained confident and resilient, eventually delivering strong performances.
He revealed plans to further strengthen the team through the appointment of a new head coach and the establishment of a high-performance centre.
“In the coming days, we will announce a new head coach and a high-performance programme that will take the team to the next level,” he said.
The federation’s long-term goal, according to him, is to qualify as Africa’s representative at the ICC Women’s World Cup in the coming years.
Mr Akpata also highlighted opportunities for Nigerian players to gain international exposure, particularly through collaborations with South Africa, which could see some players feature in overseas competitions.
The president said the federation had built a strong pipeline with structured programmes from under-11 to under-19 levels.
He noted that several players in the current squad were still eligible for under-19 competitions, while emerging talents from the under-17 level were already being integrated into the system.
“We have a clear pathway from under-11 to the senior team. Most of these players have been in our system for years, and that structure is now producing results,” he said.
According to him, the growing pool of talent has made team selection increasingly competitive, describing it as a positive challenge for the coaching crew.
The president expressed optimism about the future, stating that the enhanced profile of the tournament would attract more support and help sustain the growth of women’s cricket in Nigeria.
Daneli Boshoff, a South African player, attributed the team’s remarkable comeback victory in the tournament to their strong mindset and unity.
Speaking after the match, the player admitted that many doubted the team’s chances following their opening game loss but said the team remained focused.
“It’s just a mindset. After the first game, we left it behind and focused on the present, and that made the difference.”
She noted that while the side had its strengths and weaknesses, unity remained their biggest asset.
“As a team, we are strong all around. We understand our strengths and weaknesses, but we play together,” she said.
Looking ahead to the next international engagement in Rwanda, she said the team would adopt a fresh strategy.
“The tournament in Rwanda has its own strategy, and we will definitely work towards that in the future.”
She, however, credited the victory to collective effort. “The victory is for the team,” Boshoff said.
Nigeria’s wicketkeeper-batter, Piety Lucky, described the tournament as competitive and rewarding, noting that it tested the team’s strength, focus, and consistency.
She added that each match presented a new challenge, but the experience helped the team grow and build confidence on their way to winning the Patricia Kambarami Cup.
“It’s an incredible feeling to lift this trophy. I’m extremely proud of this team.
“We showed character, resilience, and belief from start to finish. Winning the Patricia Kambarami Cup means a lot to us, especially in front of our home fans.
“This victory is for Nigeria and it reflects the hard work we’ve put in as a team,” she said.
(NAN)
