Nigeria’s Female YellowGreens ended their campaign at the 2026 Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament on a high note, defeating Brazil Women by two wickets to claim the bronze medal and secure a podium finish at the prestigious international competition in Kigali, Rwanda.
The victory at the Gahanga International Stadium was a fitting reward for a resilient Nigerian side that refused to bow out quietly. After a challenging run of results leading into the third-place playoff, the team delivered one of its most determined performances of the tournament to leave Rwanda with a well-deserved medal.
Having won the toss and elected to field, Female YellowGreens produced a disciplined bowling display to dismiss Brazil for 85 in 20 overs before successfully chasing down the target, reaching 87 for 8 in 19.2 overs with four balls to spare.
The foundation for victory was laid by Female YellowGreens ‘s impressive bowling attack. Player of the Match, Christabel Chukwuonye, delivered a standout performance with figures of 3 for 13, including a maiden over. Oseyande Omonkhobho, Shola Adekunle and Rachael Samson claimed two wickets apiece, while captain Favour Eseigbe chipped in with one wicket as Brazil struggled to build momentum throughout their innings.
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In response, the Female YellowGreens ‘s chase was far from straightforward as Brazil’s bowlers struck regularly to keep the contest alive. However, Shola Adekunle anchored the innings with a crucial 26 runs, while skipper Favour Eseigbe remained unbeaten on 19 to guide the team across the finish line and secure the bronze medal.
Reflecting on the victory, Female YellowGreens captain Favour Eseigbe described the match as the team’s final opportunity to leave Rwanda with a tangible reward after a difficult tournament.
“We lost about four games before this third-place match, but going into this game we had high momentum. It was a final push for us because we told ourselves we would either take something home or go home empty. We decided to come out all out, and I must commend the girls for their efforts. We are very excited that our efforts paid off, and we’ll build on it from here.”
Eseigbe emphasized that the result was built on teamwork and collective determination.
“Today everybody worked. Yesterday a few people didn’t come to the party, but today everybody was involved and everybody was encouraging each other. It was a team effort. However, I must give it up for Christabel Chukwuonye, who took three wickets and bowled a maiden over. She has been doing it from the very first match to this very match, and that’s commendable.”
The captain also expressed gratitude to Nigerian supporters and cricket fans who stood firmly behind the team throughout the tournament.
“We see them, and we appreciate their support. Even on the days we should have won our matches, they didn’t give up on us and kept supporting us. We want to say thank you for your constant and continuous support. God bless you all”
Player of the Match Christabel Chukwuonye credited her teammates for helping her overcome both pressure and injury challenges to deliver a match-winning performance.
“It’s very satisfying because I could get encouragement from my teammates. It wasn’t easy at first, but I was able to get through with the motivation and support from the team. From the beginning of the tournament, I had a lot of injuries, but I was able to overcome them.”
Speaking on how she managed pressure during key moments in the match, Chukwuonye highlighted the role of faith in keeping her composed.
“It’s thanks to God. There’s always a Bible verse I recite whenever I’m tense or under pressure. Whenever I recite that verse, I feel an overwhelming calmness, and it goes a long way.”
Looking ahead, the Female YellowGreens all-rounder believes the tournament has provided valuable lessons that will strengthen the team for future competitions.
“There are a lot of positives from this tournament. Taking those positives back home will help us as a team and as individuals. We’ll work on the areas we need to improve and bounce back stronger in the next tournament.”
The third-place finish reinforces the steady rise of Nigerian women’s cricket and showcases the growing depth, resilience and competitiveness of the Female YellowGreens on the international stage. Beyond the bronze medal, the tournament has provided valuable experience and exposure that will contribute significantly to the team’s preparations for future regional and global assignments.
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