Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament, 2026 is well underway in Lagos, and the group stage has already thrown up some big results.
Five African women’s sides are competing across 14 T20Is at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, and the battle for semi-final spots is heating up fast.
Rwanda Women have won all three of their matches and sit top of the table. Nigeria’s women have been equally dominant at home, winning both games by huge margins. South Africa Women Under-19s are still very much in contention.
The final is on March 28, and there is plenty of cricket left to play.
Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026, Details
Everything you need to know before following this tournament
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament, 2026 |
| Format | T20 |
| Total Matches | 14 |
| Dates | March 20 to March 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Teams | Nigeria Women, Rwanda Women, South Africa Women U19, Zimbabwe Women U19, Ghana Women |
Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I 2026 Schedule and Match Results
Full fixture list with results updated after each match day
| Match | Date | Teams | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mar 20 | Rwanda Women vs Ghana Women | Rwanda won by 122 runs (210/3 vs 88/8) |
| 2nd | Mar 20 | Zimbabwe Women U19 vs Nigeria Women | Nigeria won by 8 wkts (80 vs 81/2 in 11.2 ov) |
| 3rd | Mar 21 | SA Women U19 vs Ghana Women | SA U19 won by 99 runs (168/4 vs 69) |
| 4th | Mar 21 | Rwanda Women vs Zimbabwe Women U19 | Rwanda won by 60 runs (143/5 vs 83) |
| 5th | Mar 22 | Nigeria Women vs Ghana Women | Nigeria won by 136 runs (159/4 vs 23) |
| 6th | Mar 22 | Rwanda Women vs SA Women U19 | Rwanda won by 4 runs, DLS (101/7 vs 100/4 in 14 ov) |
| 7th | Mar 24 | SA Women U19 vs Zimbabwe Women U19 | 09:00 GMT |
| 8th | Mar 24 | Nigeria Women vs Rwanda Women | 13:00 GMT |
| 9th | Mar 25 | Nigeria Women vs SA Women U19 | 09:00 GMT |
| 10th | Mar 25 | Ghana Women vs Zimbabwe Women U19 | 13:00 GMT |
| SF 1 | Mar 27 | TBA vs TBA | 09:00 GMT |
| SF 2 | Mar 27 | TBA vs TBA | 13:00 GMT |
| 3rd Place | Mar 28 | TBA vs TBA | 09:00 GMT |
| Final | Mar 28 | TBA vs TBA | 13:00 GMT |
Teams Participating, Squads and Group Stage Form
All five squads confirmed for the 2026 edition
| Team | Group Form | Full Squad |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda Women | W W W | Gisele Ishimwe, Clarisse Uwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Henriette Ishimwe, Marie Bimenyimana (C), Rosette Shimwamana, Alice Ikuzwe, Belise Murekatete, Geovanis Uwase, Ruth Uwimana, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Flora Irakoze, Merveille Uwase, Georgette Ingabire, Rosine Irera, Sylvia Usabyimana |
| Nigeria Women | W W | Esther Sandy, Salome Sunday, Victory Igbinedion, Omosigho Eguakun, Christabel Chukwuonye, Muhibat Amusa, Lucky Piety (C), Sarah Etim, Lillian Udeh, Adeshola Adekunle, Annointed Akhigbe, Queen Joseph, Henrietta Mbam, Favour Effiong, Usen Peace |
| South Africa Women U19 | W L | Siphokuhle Masilela, Kananelo Mokoena, Chanel Venter, Cayleigh Wanckel, Bruzaan Goosen, Ashley Barnard, Jeze Campher, Miya Lalor, Ziya Mohanlall, Shelfa Mukhari, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Jae Leigh Filander, Rethabile Nthoba, Danelie Boshoff |
| Zimbabwe Women U19 | L L | Lorraine Pemhiwa, Bethel Zinyama, Salem Museka, Nicolette Nyika, Beloved Biza, Buhlebenkosi Maposa, Nokutenda Makanhiwa, Christine Mutasa, Munenyasha Mandidzora, Naomi Mhlekwa, Ruvarashe Mpofu, Sharmaine Manyukwi, Tadiwa Garutsa, Tawananyasha Zvomarima |
| Ghana Women | L L L | Elizabeth Annor, Miriam Eshun, Rashidatu Salia, Jacqueline Kokam, Ivy Yeboah, Ellen Asante, Kate Awuah, Grace Essoun, Ernestina Sagoe, Grace Quaicoe, Esther Bakiweyem, Abigail Amuzu, Joycelyn Ahama, Rebecca Adotei |
Points Table: Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
Standings updated after six completed group matches, as of March 22, 2026
| Pos | Team | M | W | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rwanda Women | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Nigeria Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | South Africa Women U19 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Zimbabwe Women U19 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | Ghana Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
How to Watch Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Live
Live streaming options and where to follow scores online
- Live Streaming: FanCode is the only confirmed platform for live streaming this tournament
- Live Scores: ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz are covering all matches with live scorecard updates
- Highlights and Updates: Nigeria Cricket Federation’s official social media channels regularly share match highlights and updates
Key Players to Watch in Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
Six players who could shape the outcome from here
| Player | Tournament Performance |
|---|---|
| Fanny Utagushimaninde (Rwanda Women) | 141 runs in 3 innings, avg 70.50, SR 128.18, HS 111 (only hundred of the tournament), 21 sixes |
| Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda Women) | 144 WT20I wickets at an average of 10.30, best 5/6 across career; also 1,287+ career runs, one of the most experienced players in this competition |
| Marie Bimenyimana (Rwanda Women) | 6 wickets from 9.4 overs in the tournament, avg 6.50, 39 runs conceded, Rwanda’s captain and top wicket-taker |
| Usen Peace (Nigeria Women) | 6 wickets from 8 overs, avg 4.17, two four-wicket hauls already, the most destructive bowler in the tournament so far |
| Mieke van Voorst (South Africa Women U19) | 84 runs from 2 innings, avg 84.00, SR 137.70, SA U19’s most consistent batter in the group stage |
| Lucky Piety (Nigeria Women) | Nigeria’s captain and wicket-keeper previously led Nigeria U19 to a historic World Cup appearance; her leadership in the knockouts will be key |
Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval
One ground hosting all 14 matches across eight days
- All 14 matches are played at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos
- The pitch offers carry and movement early, making it tough for batters in the first few overs
- As the match progresses, the surface dries out, and spinners begin to extract grip and turn
- The venue has hosted previous editions of this tournament and several domestic Nigerian cricket events
- It is one of the better-known grounds in West Africa and has played a key role in developing cricket infrastructure in the region
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Conclusion: Group Stage Done, Knockouts Ahead
Rwanda leads the table with six points and three wins from three. Nigeria sits second with four points from two games.
South Africa U19 is still in the mix in third place. Zimbabwe and Ghana are yet to register a win. The remaining group matches on March 24 and March 25 will confirm which four sides make the semi-finals. The knockouts are on March 27.
The final is on March 28. After a group stage full of heavy margins, the closer cricket likely starts now.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Nigeria Cricket Federation is hosting the tournament on home soil. All 14 matches are being played at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos, Nigeria.
Five teams are participating: Nigeria Women, Rwanda Women, South Africa Women Under-19s, Zimbabwe Women Under-19s, and Ghana Women.
The final is scheduled for March 28, 2026, at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos. The third-place play-off is also on March 28, earlier in the day.
FanCode is the only confirmed live streaming platform. There is no TV broadcast confirmed. Live scores are available throughout on ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz.
Rwanda Women’s Fanny Utagushimaninde leads the run charts after the group stage. She has scored 141 runs in three innings at an average of 70.50, including the tournament’s only century of 111.
