Nigeria and Sierra Leone are set to face off in Match 23 of the 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament, a meeting that brings together two sides eager to make their mark as the group stage intensifies. Both teams have experienced mixed fortunes so far, and this fixture at Kigali offers a crucial opportunity to climb the points table and build momentum for the latter stages of the competition.
Nigeria have shown flashes of promise, including a close contest against Zimbabwe HP XI where they narrowly lost by six runs after a spirited chase. Their squad, led by Favour Eseigbe, boasts a blend of youth and experience, with players like Abigail Igbobie and Rachael Samson capable of influencing the game in both departments.
Sierra Leone, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a tough start, including a heavy defeat to Tanzania, where they were bowled out for just 47 runs. Despite setbacks, Sierra Leone’s lineup, featuring emerging talents such as Emma Kamara, will be determined to put in a stronger performance and challenge Nigeria’s ambitions.
Squads:
Sierra Leone Women’s Cricket Team
Fatmata Parkinson, Hussainatu Sawanneh, Jane Newland, Marie Turay, Aminata Kamara, Ann Kamara, Celina Bull, Emma Kamara, Isha Bangura, Fatu Conteh, Zainab Kamara, Alice Fillie, Linda Bull, Patrica Pratt
Nigeria Women’s Cricket Team
Esther Sandy, Favour Eseigbe, Salome Sunday, Adeshola Adekunle, Anointed Akhigbe, Christabel Chukwuonye, Lilian Ude, Abigail Igbobie, Omosigho Eguakun, Sarah Etim, Muhibat K Amusa, Peace Usen, Rachael Samson, Rukayat Abdulrasak
Players to watch out:
Linda Bull
Linda Bull is an all-rounder for Sierra Leone, known for her right-handed batting and right-arm medium pace bowling. Her career highlight includes best bowling figures of 3 wickets for 0 runs in just 2 overs. In her last outing against Cameroon, she picked up 3 wickets in her 4 overs spell. In the tournament so far, she has picked 6 wickets and scored 15 runs with the bat. Bull’s consistent all-round efforts make her a vital player for Sierra Leone going into the tournament.
Celina Bull
The all-rounder for Sierra Leone has been a regular part of the lineup, with recent performances highlighting her dual skills. In the 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament against Rwanda, she scored 10 runs off 17 balls and also bowled 4 overs, taking 1 wicket for 30 runs. In the tournament so far, she has scored 50 runs with the bat and picked 2 wickets as well. Her recent outings underline her value as a reliable all-rounder for Sierra Leone.
Esther Sandy
The 25-year-old right-handed batter from 45 T20Is has scored 435 runs in 42 innings, with her highest score being 52. She has scored 47 runs in her last 4 innings in the tournament and remains a developing player in the Nigerian lineup, looking to make a bigger impact in upcoming matches.
Salome Sunday
The 23-year-old in 65 WT20I, has scored 1056 runs in 59 innings, with the highest score of 63. She is the only Nigerian player to have surpassed 1000 runs in T20Is. After scoring only 29 runs in her first four outings in the tournament, she scored a 35-ball 53* in her most recent outing. She is one of the key prospects for the team.
Pitch:
The pitch at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali is well-prepared and balanced, aiding both batters and bowlers. It tends to favor bowlers slightly, especially pacers, and chasing teams often have an advantage. The surface is not known for being high scoring, so smart cricket and adaptability are key for success.
Weather:
Expect mild and comfortable temperatures ranging from about 14°C in the early morning to a high of around 22°C during the day. The weather will be partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, so some rain is possible. Conditions will be humid with possible rain and storm activity later in the day.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Aminata Kamara, Ann Kamara, Celina Bull, Emma Kamara, Zainab Kamara, Linda Bull, Salome Sunday, Esther Sandy, Anointed Akhigbe, Lilian Ude, Sarah Etim
Match details:
Date – June 8, 2025
Time – 5:00 PM IST
Venue – Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
