Cricket Fever Hits Africa: Sierra Leone Primed for Nigeria Clash in ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier

Cricket Fever Hits Africa: Sierra Leone Primed for Nigeria Clash in ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier

The stage is set in Windhoek, Namibia! Captains from across the continent are geared up to lead their nations at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, bringing passion, strategy, and determination to the crease. With everything to play for, the battle for World Cup qualification promises thrilling cricket action.

All eyes will be on the opening match as the Sierra Leone Senior Women's Cricket Team takes on rivals Nigeria. This highly anticipated clash kicks off the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Division One Qualifier, running from August 31st to September 6th, 2025.

The eight-nation tournament will feature ten intense matches spread across seven days, all vying for the coveted two finalist spots. These two teams will then advance to the Global Qualifier, the penultimate step on the journey to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

While Sierra Leone and Nigeria have met only once at an ICC level – a five-wicket victory for Nigeria in the 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Qualifier group stage – their rivalry extends beyond official ICC tournaments. 

The two sides have faced off three other times, twice at the Nigeria Invitational Women’s Invitational and once at the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament in Gaborone, Botswana. 

This history adds an extra layer of intrigue to their opening encounter, promising a fiercely contested battle.