Kehinde Amusa starred in her debut for Nigeria, leading them to a 36-run win against Sierra Leone at the Kwibuka T20i tournament. Under captain Lillian Udeh’s leadership, Nigeria posted 104 runs and limited Sierra Leone to 68. This victory marks Nigeria’s third win, keeping them fifth in standings as they look ahead to their next match against Malawi.
In a bold display at the 2025 Kwibuka T20i tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, Nigeria’s women’s cricket team secured a convincing 36-run victory over Sierra Leone on Sunday. The standout performer was 18-year-old Kehinde Amusa, who made quite an impression during her debut with the senior squad. Amusa contributed significantly, scoring 23 runs off 28 balls and took two wickets for just seven runs in her four overs.
Without their regular captain Favour Eseigbe, Lillian Udeh stepped up to lead Nigeria in their sixth match of the tournament. Winning the toss, Udeh chose to bat first, and her decision proved fruitful as Nigeria notched back-to-back wins. Amusa and Esther Sandy opened the innings, but their partnership faced challenges when wickets began to fall. Amusa batted until the 12th over, although Sandy was dismissed in the fifth over after scoring 18 runs from 19 balls.
The team’s batting continued to struggle, yet Christabel Chukwuonye gave a modest boost with 20 runs off 28 balls. Ultimately, Nigeria was bowled out for 104 runs in 19.4 overs. In response, Sierra Leone’s Emma Kamara emerged as a tough opponent, scoring 40 runs not out from 58 balls. However, Sierra Leone’s total finished at 68, well below the target of 105 runs.
With this latest victory, Nigeria has now won three matches in the tournament, placing them fifth on the table with six points. They will face Malawi next on Tuesday. The top four teams—Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe—have already secured their positions for the semi-finals, leaving Nigeria outside of contention due to their net run rate.
Since its inception in 2014, the Kwibuka T20i Tournament has seen Kenya dominate with four titles, while the host nation, Rwanda, has won once. The last tournament in 2024 crowned Uganda the champions, with Zimbabwe coming in second.
Kehinde Amusa’s debut performance for Nigeria highlights her potential and the team’s growing strength in international cricket. Despite the win against Sierra Leone, Nigeria remains fifth in the standings, facing uphill challenges to reach the semi-finals in the Kwibuka tournament. As they prepare for their match against Malawi, the team has both momentum and determination on their side. The overall competition remains fierce as teams vie for the coveted semi-final spots.
Original Source: punchng.com
