Nigeria edge past Botswana to book WAFCON quarter-final ticket

Summary

• Chinwendu Ihezuo scores late winner to seal 1-0 victory
• Super Falcons reach WAFCON quarter-finals with one group match to spare
• Botswana’s resilient defence undone in the 89th minute

Casablanca, Morocco – Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a narrow 1-0 victory over Botswana on Thursday night, thanks to a dramatic late goal from Chinwendu Ihezuo.

The match, played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, saw the nine-time African champions labour for much of the game against a disciplined Botswana side before Ihezuo broke the deadlock in the 89th minute.

The result means Nigeria cannot finish outside the top two in Group B and are assured of a place in the last eight.

Botswana, participating in only their second WAFCON tournament, frustrated Nigeria for long periods with their deep defensive shape and outstanding goalkeeping from Sedilame Boseja. The Mares looked set to secure their first-ever clean sheet at the tournament before Ihezuo’s late strike dashed their hopes.

The first half was marked by Nigeria’s struggle to find their rhythm. Despite dominating possession, the Super Falcons failed to register a shot on target, while Botswana managed three attempts, showing early signs of promise on the counterattack.

Social media reaction during the interval reflected frustration among Nigerian fans, with calls for tactical changes and substitutions to unlock Botswana’s defensive block. Coach Justin Madugu eventually introduced fresh legs, and Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the dying minutes.

Ihezuo, who had also scored in the Super Falcons’ opening 3-0 win over Tunisia, once again proved decisive, turning in the winner after sustained pressure in the final quarter of the match. Her goal ensures Nigeria maintain their perfect record in Group B without conceding a single goal.

The victory continues Nigeria’s impressive WAFCON form, marking their fourth straight group stage win without conceding and the first time since 1998 that they have kept clean sheets in their opening two games of the tournament.

Botswana, meanwhile, extended their WAFCON losing streak to five matches, all by a single-goal margin. Despite their defensive resolve, they remain winless and will need a positive result against Tunisia in their final group game to have any hope of progressing.

Nigeria’s final group match is against Algeria on Saturday, July 13, but with qualification already secured, Coach Madugu may opt to rotate his squad. For the Super Falcons, the focus remains on their “Mission X” to reclaim the WAFCON title, last lifted in 2018.