Nigeria 1-0 Botswana: Super Falcons Book WAFCON Quarterfinal Spot
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are through to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 1–0 win over Botswana in their second Group B game on Thursday.
Chinwendu Ihezuo, who plays club football in Mexico, scored the only goal late in the match. She stretched to meet a pass from Esther Okoronkwo and calmly finished to give Nigeria all three points in a hard-fought game in Casablanca.
Botswana started strongly, with Refilwe Tholakele firing a powerful shot that forced Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie into a double save.
For most of the game, Botswana defended with many players behind the ball, making it tough for Nigeria’s attackers — Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne, and Rinsola Babajide — to find clear chances.
In the first half, defender Ashley Plumptre moved forward and had a good chance after a pass from Ajibade but missed the target. Payne also had an opportunity but shot over the bar.
The second half was similar, with Botswana packing the midfield and defence. Ihezuo headed over the bar shortly after the break, and Plumptre forced a save from Botswana’s goalkeeper Maitumelo Bosija in the 64th minute.
Substitute Jennifer Echegini came close to scoring in the 71st minute and again in the 82nd, but Bosija denied her both times.
Nigeria finally broke the deadlock in the 89th minute. Okoronkwo beat the defenders and found Ihezuo, who finished the move to seal the win.
With two wins from two matches, Nigeria now top Group B and have secured a place in the quarterfinals. Their last group game will be against Algeria on Sunday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
