Rwanda women national cricket team has steppdd up preparations for the forthcoming All Africa Games that will take place from March 7-14 in the Ghanaian capital Accra.

The team started non-residential training in January before entering residential camp in Gahanga during the second week of February, according to head coach Leornad Nhamburo.

"We have been training three times a week for the past month because we don't want to leave anything to chance," Nhamburo told Times Sport after Tuesday’s training session at Gahanga Cricket Stadium.

The Zimbabwean, who took over as head coach for both the senior team and the U19s in 2021, noted that, "The All Africa Games is a big competition and so we need to prepare well by having as many build-up games as possible."

On top of the training sessions, the players have also been featuring for their respective clubs in the ongoing RCA T10 tournament.

As part of the preparations, Rwanda, led by captain Diane Bimenyimana, will take part in a four-team Nigeria invitational tournament before proceeding to Accra for All Africa Games.

Besides Rwanda and hosts Nigeria, Tanzania and Sierra Leone were also invited to participate participate at the invitational tournament. This will be the fourth edition.

Nhamburo led Rwanda to sucess in this particular tournament in 2022 and reached the final in 2023, losing to Nigeria.

"After every competition, we take stock of how we performed and look for how we can get better. The girls are focused and know what they want. If we can win in Nigeria, then that would boost our confidence heading to Ghana (for the All Africa Games)," said the 43-year old coach.

"When you compare between the time I came and now, there is a very big difference in terms mentality, approach to the game and also the girls are now taking ownership of the game."

Nhamburo guided Rwanda U19 girls team to the 2023 World Cup in South Africa before helping the senior national team to the 2023 Kwibuka Tournament glory after beating Uganda in the final.

The team had their last training on Wednesday and the players will be given a day off on Thursday before the departing for Nigeria on Friday evening.