Players compete during the Nigeria Women’s Invitational T20i tournament as Nigeria prepares to host the 5th edition in Lagos with five participating nations.
With just 13 days to the first ball, anticipation is building as the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) prepares to host the 5th edition of the Nigeria Women’s Invitational T20 International (WT20i) at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos from March, 2026.
The prestigious five-nation tournament will feature host nation Nigeria alongside Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and the South Africa Women’s Under‑19 Cricket Team, who will be making their first-ever appearance in the competition.
Now firmly established as West Africa’s premier women’s international cricket tournament, the Nigeria Women’s Invitational continues to provide a high-performance platform for emerging and elite female cricketers across the continent, while strengthening international cricket pathways.
Since its inception, the competition has grown significantly in global recognition, competitive quality, and developmental impact, further reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a key hub for women’s cricket development in Africa.
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, highlighted the importance of the event, saying:
“The Nigeria Women’s Invitational T20i represents our unwavering commitment to advancing women’s cricket in Nigeria and across Africa.
Welcoming five competitive teams, including South Africa U19 for the first time, highlights the progress we are making in positioning Nigeria as a destination for international women’s cricket.”
Participating teams are expected to arrive in Lagos on March 18, with matches set to begin shortly after and continue throughout the tournament window, culminating in the final fixtures and official departures on March 29, 2026.
All matches will take place at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, a venue widely recognised for hosting major domestic and international cricket competitions in Nigeria.
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Beyond the on-field action, the tournament will also feature youth cricket clinics and stakeholder engagement activities, aimed at strengthening grassroots participation and expanding the commercial ecosystem of cricket in Nigeria.
Further details regarding the match schedule and tournament activities will be released in the coming days as the countdown to the first ball on March 20 continues.
By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
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