South-South Female Cricket League enters semis

The South-South Female Cricket League is buzzing as it heads into its semi-final round, showcasing the growing talent and passion for women's cricket in Nigeria. This league, a flagship initiative of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, has become a vital platform for female cricketers, many of whom recently contributed to the Female Yellow Greens' triumph in the 2026 NCF T20I tournament.

This year's competition saw robust participation from nine clubs, primarily from Edo State, alongside teams from Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. The zonal matches in Benin City and Port Harcourt were fiercely contested, culminating in the qualification of Idia Royals (defending champions), Smashers, Uniport Pathfinders, and Delta Force for the semi-finals.

Uyi Akpata, President of the NCF and Chairman of the Edo State Cricket Association, has been a driving force behind the league since its inception in 2021. His vision emphasizes gender balance and providing a competitive environment for women's cricket to flourish. This league is not just about competition; it's about nurturing talent, fostering development, and ensuring that women's cricket in Nigeria receives the attention and resources it deserves, aligning with the federation's goals for a busy year of local and international engagements.

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This league will provide a competitive platform for women’s cricket to thrive in the zone and across Nigeria. Gender balance and equal involvement in men’s and women’s cricket are key to the overall development of the sport in Nigeria. This also comes against the backdrop of numerous local and international engagements expected for various state senior and national women’s teams this year.