Nigeria’s Super Falcons booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana on Thursday night in Casablanca.
A late 88th-minute strike from Chinwendu Ihezuo proved decisive as the nine-time champions struggled to break down a resolute Botswana defence despite dominating possession for most of the encounter.
Coming into the clash off a commanding 3-0 win over Tunisia, Nigeria made a sluggish start and failed to convert a series of first-half chances. The match remained goalless at the break, prompting head coach Justine Madugu to ring the changes with a triple substitution.
Chinwendu Ihezuo, Christy Ucheibe and Esther Okoronkwo were all introduced at half-time in search of more attacking impetus.
The tactical switch eventually paid dividends, with Ihezuo firing home from close range two minutes from time to secure Nigeria’s sixth point of the tournament and extend their group stage winning streak to five matches.
The Falcons have now gone 450 minutes without conceding a goal in WAFCON group stage action.
The match saw Nigeria dominate midfield proceedings, with Halimatu Ayinde and Toni Payne orchestrating attacks, but early attempts from Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade failed to trouble Botswana goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja.
Botswana, nicknamed the Mares, showed moments of promise in the first half. Quick transitions led by Lone Gaofetoge and Lesego Radiakanyo posed some threat to the Nigerian backline, and Laone Moloi forced a sharp save from Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 33rd minute.
Nigeria’s best opportunities before halftime came in a flurry, with Ashleigh Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale, and Toni Payne all going close. Oshoala’s final act of the game—a low drive that went narrowly wide—was followed by her substitution for Okoronkwo.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Nigeria applying relentless pressure and Botswana defending deep.
Ihezuo headed over the bar early on, while midfielder Deborah Abiodun received a yellow card that rules her out of the final group fixture against Algeria.
Substitute Jennifer Echegini brought renewed urgency into the game and twice came close to breaking the deadlock. Her curling effort in the 82nd minute drew a fine save from Boseja, while an earlier left-footed strike in the 71st minute whistled just wide.
Eventually, Nigeria’s persistence paid off. Ihezuo, who had scored in the opening game against Tunisia, reacted fastest to a loose ball in the box and blasted it into the net, sealing the Super Falcons’ place in the last eight.
It was her second goal in as many matches, underscoring her growing influence in the team.
The win lifts Nigeria to the top of Group B with six points and one game to spare. The clean sheet also marks the first time since 1998 that the Falcons have not conceded in their opening two group fixtures.
Botswana, with just one point from two matches, now face a must-win encounter against Tunisia and must rely on other results to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Elsewhere in Group B, Tunisia and Algeria played out a goalless draw earlier on Thursday, leaving both teams on one point each and setting up a tense final round of fixtures.
Nigeria will return to action against Algeria in their final group match, aiming to maintain their perfect record and carry momentum into the knockout rounds.