By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s Female YellowGreens ended their 2026 Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament campaign on a high, defeating Brazil Women by two wickets to claim the bronze medal in a thrilling third-place playoff at the Gahanga International Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
After a challenging run leading into the playoff, the Nigerian side produced one of its most determined performances of the tournament, successfully chasing down a target of 86 with four balls to spare to finish on 87 for 8 in 19.2 overs.
Having won the toss and elected to field, Nigeria’s bowlers set the tone with a disciplined display that restricted Brazil to 85 all out in their allotted 20 overs.
Player of the Match Christabel Chukwuonye spearheaded the attack with outstanding figures of 3 for 13, including a maiden over, while Oseyande Omonkhobho, Shola Adekunle and Rachael Samson claimed two wickets apiece.
Captain Favour Eseigbe also chipped in with a wicket as the Female YellowGreens kept constant pressure on the Brazilian batting line-up.
Nigeria’s chase was far from straightforward, with Brazil striking regularly to keep the contest alive.
However, Shola Adekunle’s composed 26 runs and an unbeaten 19 from skipper Favour Eseigbe guided the team across the finish line, sealing a memorable victory and a podium finish.
Reflecting on the result, Eseigbe said the playoff represented the team’s final opportunity to leave Rwanda with a tangible reward after enduring several disappointing results.
“We told ourselves we would either take something home or go home empty. The girls showed great determination, and I’m proud that our efforts paid off,” she said.
The captain praised the collective effort behind the win, while singling out Chukwuonye for her consistency throughout the tournament.
“Everybody contributed today and encouraged one another. It was truly a team performance, but Christabel deserves special recognition for another outstanding spell. She has delivered for us from the first match to the last.”
Eseigbe also expressed gratitude to Nigerian supporters who continued to back the team throughout the competition despite the setbacks.
Player of the Match Chukwuonye credited her teammates for helping her overcome injuries and pressure to produce a match-winning display.
“It wasn’t easy, especially with the injuries I had at the start of the tournament, but the encouragement from my teammates kept me going,” she said.
She added that her faith helped her remain composed during crucial moments and expressed confidence that the lessons learned in Kigali would strengthen the team ahead of future competitions.
Nigeria’s third-place finish underlines the continued progress of the Female YellowGreens on the international stage and provides another encouraging sign of the growing competitiveness and resilience of women’s cricket in the country.
Beyond securing the bronze medal, the tournament offered valuable experience that the team will look to build on in upcoming regional and global assignments.
