By Vivian Ahanmisi
Nigeria’s Female YellowGreens ended their 2026 Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament campaign on a high.
They defeated Brazil Women by two wickets to claim the bronze medal in Kigali on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played at the Gahanga Cricket Oval, where Nigeria showed resilience.
Nigeria bounced back from difficult results before the third-place playoff with a determined performance.
After winning the toss, Nigeria opted to field and restricted Brazil to 85 all out.
The YellowGreens produced disciplined bowling before chasing 87 for eight in 19.2 overs.
The victory came with four balls remaining, securing third place for the Nigerian side.
Player of the Match, Christabel Chukwuonye, led the bowling attack with three wickets for 13 runs.
She also delivered a maiden over, while Oseyande Omonkhobho, Shola Adekunle and Rachael Samson claimed two wickets each.
Captain Favour Eseigbe added a wicket as Nigeria kept Brazil under pressure throughout the innings.
Nigeria’s chase was challenging as Brazilian bowlers took regular wickets and kept the contest alive.
Adekunle’s 26 runs steadied the innings, while Eseigbe remained unbeaten on 19 to seal victory.
Speaking after the match, Eseigbe described the win as the team’s final chance for reward.
“We lost about four games before this third-place match, but we had momentum.
“It was a final push because we wanted to take something home. We decided to come out all out, and I commend the girls for their efforts,” she said.
Eseigbe said the bronze medal was achieved through collective teamwork.
“Today everybody worked. Everybody was involved and encouraged each other. It was a team effort, but Christabel’s performance was commendable,” she added.
She praised Chukwuonye for consistently delivering from the opening match to the final game.
Eseigbe also thanked supporters who stood by the team throughout the tournament.
“We appreciate their support, even on days we should have won. They kept supporting us, and we want to say thank you,” she said.
Chukwuonye credited her teammates for helping her overcome pressure and injuries.
“It’s satisfying because I got encouragement from my teammates. It wasn’t easy, but their motivation helped me get through,” she said.
She revealed that injuries affected her early tournament performances, adding: “From the beginning, I had a lot of injuries, but I overcame them.”
Chukwuonye said faith helped her remain calm during difficult moments. “It’s thanks to God. I recite a Bible verse whenever I feel pressure.
“Whenever I recite it, I feel calmness and focus,” she added.
The all-rounder said the tournament provided important lessons for the team.
“There are many positives we are taking back home. We will work on areas needing improvement and bounce back stronger,” she said.
The bronze medal highlights the steady growth of Nigerian women’s cricket.
The Female YellowGreens continue to show resilience and competitiveness on the international stage.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo