Kehinde Amusa made a noteworthy debut for Nigeria’s senior women’s cricket team, leading them to a 36-run victory against Sierra Leone in the Kwibuka T20i tournament. Her contributions included 23 runs and two crucial wickets. Nigeria’s win marks their third of the tournament, positioning them fifth in the standings ahead of their next match against Malawi.
Kehinde Amusa, a standout player from Nigeria’s junior women’s cricket team, shone brightly in her debut for the senior women’s team during the 2025 Kwibuka T20i tournament in Kigali, Rwanda. On Sunday, she helped lead Nigeria to a convincing 36-run victory over Sierra Leone. Amusa made significant contributions with both bat and ball, scoring 23 runs off 28 balls and taking two wickets for only seven runs in her four overs.
With captain Favour Eseigbe absent, Lillian Udeh took charge of the team for their sixth game of the series. She won the toss and opted to bat first, guiding Nigeria to their second consecutive win in the tournament. The 18-year-old Amusa opened the innings alongside Esther Sandy, batting until the 12th over despite a few early wickets that challenged the Female Yellow Greens’ batting order.
Esther Sandy contributed 18 runs from 19 balls before getting out in the fifth over, while Christabel Chukwuonye added 20 runs off 28 balls. Ultimately, Nigeria’s innings concluded at 104 runs all out in 19.4 overs, setting a target for Sierra Leone to chase.
In response, Emma Kamara of Sierra Leone put up a strong fight, scoring 40 not out off 58 balls. Despite her efforts, Sierra Leone could only muster a total of 68 runs for 10 wickets in their 20 overs, falling well short of the target. Nigeria’s victory marked their third win in the tournament, maintaining their position in fifth place on the table with six points as they prepare for their next match against Malawi on Tuesday.
Currently, the top four standings that lead to the semi-finals are held by Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Unfortunately for the Female Yellow Greens, they remain outside the semi-final contention due to their net run rate. The Kwibuka T20i Tournament has been an ongoing event since 2014, with Kenya being the most successful team having claimed the title four times. Rwanda, the host nation, has secured the championship once, while Uganda bagged the title in 2024, with Zimbabwe as the runners-up.
Kehinde Amusa’s remarkable performance in her debut match helped Nigeria secure a vital victory over Sierra Leone in the Kwibuka T20i tournament. With key contributions from her teammates, Nigeria managed to dominate the game, paving the way for their upcoming challenge against Malawi. Despite their victories, the ranking highlights a struggle for the Female Yellow Greens to advance to the semi-finals, with their placement affected by net run rate. As the tournament progresses, they remain hopeful for a turnaround in their fortunes.
Original Source: punchng.com
