Rwanda women national cricket coach Leonard Nhamburo believes winning the NCF Women T20 Invitational tournament would be a big boost for his girls ahead of the All Africa Games.
A delegation of 20 people, led by Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) president Stephen Musaale, departed for Nigeria on Friday, February 23, ahead of the annual tournament which Rwanda has previously won in 2022.
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Biding to win the four-team tournament for the second time, Nhamburo’s side will play debutants Tanzania in the opening game on Sunday.
Other teams include Sierra Leone and hosts Nigeria. Rwanda is using the eight-day competition, which starts on Sunday, February 25 until March 3 in Lagos, as rehearsal for the All Africa Games to held in Accra, Ghana, from March 7-14.
Speaking to Times Sport, Nhamburo said, "The (All Africa) Games is the big one on our mind, it's the reason for all our preparations."
"We are using this (Nigeria Invitational tourney) as preparation for the Games and, of course, we want to win it, because doing so would boost our confidence," added the Zimbabwean coach.
Like Rwanda, Nigeria and Tanzania are also preparing for the All Africa Games. Nigeria won last year's edition after beating then reigning champions Rwanda in the final.
Ten of the 15 players traveling to Nigeria were part of the Rwanda U-19 team that qualified for the 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup held in South Africa.
Rwanda qualified for the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup after winning the Africa Qualifier. They reached the Super Six stage at the tournament, winning two of their matches.
Delegation: Player: Marie Diane Bimenyimana, Alice Akuzwe, Gisele Ishimwe, Merveille Uwase, Belise Murekatete, Clarrise Umutoniwase, Flora Irakoze, Geovanis Uwase, Josiane Nyirankanduneza, Marie Josee Tumukunde, Therese Henriette Ishimwe, Rosine Irera, Imaculee Muhawenimana, Zurufat Ishimwe Mutoniwase and Sylivie Usabyimana.
Officials: Leonard Nhamburo (head coach), Kenneth Bugingo (assistant coach), Theoneste Iyakaremye (physio), Delphine Mukarurangwa (team manager) and Stephen Musaale.
Fixtures
Feb. 25 Rwanda vs Tanzania
Nigeria vs Sierra Leone
Feb. 26 Tanzania vs Nigeria Rwanda vs Sierra Leone
Feb. 28 Nigeria vs Rwanda
Sierra Leone vs Tanzania
Feb. 29 Tanzania vs Rwanda
Nigeria vs Sierra Leone
Mar. 2 Rwanda vs Sierra Leone
Tanzania vs Nigeria
Mar. 3 Sierra Leone vs Tanzania
Nigeria vs Rwanda