The Victoria Pearls’ unbeaten streak at the 11th Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament came to an end on Wednesday after a nail-biting five-run loss to Nigeria at the Gahanga Oval in Kigali.
Despite a spirited and disciplined bowling performance led by captain Janet Mbabazi, Uganda’s batters were unable to chase down Nigeria’s modest total of 73, bowing out for 68 in a tense finish.
Match Summary – Game 7
Nigeria: 73/9 in 20 overs
Uganda: 68 all out in 20 overs
Result: Nigeria won by 5 runs
Player of the Match: Amusa Kehinde – 33 runs & 1/16 (4 overs)
Next Match: Uganda vs. Rwanda – June 12, 10:45 AM, Gahanga B Oval
Uganda won the toss and elected to bowl first, making one change to their playing XI — Sarah Akiteng coming in for Tino Sarah. The bowlers responded brilliantly, keeping the Nigerian batters under pressure throughout the innings. Kevin Amuge struck in the fifth over, while veteran spinner Consy Aweko bowled a tight spell that included a maiden.
Captain Mbabazi led from the front with an inspired four-over spell, grabbing 4 wickets for just 16 runs. However, Nigeria’s Amusa Kehinde stood firm amidst the collapse, scoring a resilient 33 — the only player in the match to reach double figures — to guide her side to 73/9 after 20 overs.
In response, Uganda’s chase never quite got going. Mbabazi fell early for just 5, and although opener Esther Iloku held firm with a composed 15, the middle order faltered under sustained Nigerian pressure. Proscovia Alako and Rita Musamali departed in quick succession, and Kevin Awino’s LBW dismissal in the penultimate over left Uganda needing six runs off the last two overs with just one wicket in hand.
But the pressure proved too much. Two successive maiden overs and the loss of four late wickets saw Uganda fall agonisingly short, dismissed for 68 in 20 overs.
Head coach Deus Muhumuza expressed his disappointment but remained hopeful for a swift turnaround:
“It’s disappointing that we lost — a defeat to Nigeria means losing ranking points — but I hope this serves as a wake-up call. We didn’t execute our plans well in the chase, but we’ll regroup and look to bounce back stronger against Rwanda tomorrow.”
