Rwanda defeat Nigeria, Face Zimbabwe in Kwibuka Women’s T20I final

Rwanda secured their place in the final of the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 with an impressive 11-run victory over Nigeria in the final group-stage match played at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The win ensured that the hosts finished the group phase on a high and booked a title showdown against Zimbabwe HPC in the tournament held to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

After winning the toss, Nigeria elected to field first, hoping to restrict Rwanda’s batting line-up and chase a manageable target.

However, the hosts produced a disciplined batting performance to post 131 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Leading the charge was Rwanda’s in-form batter Clarisse Umutoniwase, who delivered a match-winning innings of 59 runs from 48 balls.

Her knock included seven boundaries and one six, providing the backbone of Rwanda’s total.

Despite Nigeria claiming eight wickets, Rwanda managed to maintain a healthy scoring rate throughout the innings.

Chasing 132 for victory, Nigeria battled hard but struggled to gain momentum against a determined Rwandan bowling attack.

Rwanda maintained control for most of the innings, regularly taking wickets to keep the visitors under pressure.

At the end of their 20 overs, Nigeria had reached 120 for 9, falling 11 runs short of the target.

Rwanda’s bowlers displayed discipline and composure in the closing stages to secure a crucial victory and advance to the championship match.

For her outstanding contribution with the bat, Clarisse Umutoniwase was named Player of the Match.

Her half-century proved decisive in a contest that highlighted Rwanda’s growing confidence and competitiveness on the international stage.

Speaking after the match, Rwanda captain Marie Diane Bimenyimana acknowledged the challenge posed by Nigeria and praised her teammates for learning from previous mistakes.

“It was not an easy game. We worked on correcting the errors we made against Brazil and the team responded well. We are determined to give everything we have to ensure that the trophy remains in Rwanda”, she said.

Bimenyimana also called upon Rwandan cricket fans to come out in large numbers and support the team in the final.

The tournament final between Rwanda and Zimbabwe HPC is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 PM local time at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.

Before the clash, Brazil and Nigeria will meet in the third-place playoff beginning at 9:30 AM.

Organized by the Rwanda Cricket Association, the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament continues to serve as a platform for remembrance, unity and the development of women’s cricket, bringing together teams from across the world to honor the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi while celebrating the spirit of sport.