A late strike from Super Falcons substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo sealed Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a nervy 1-0 win over a determined Botswana side in Casablanca on Thursday.
The Super Falcons, nine-time continental champions, were forced to dig deep at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, with Botswana’s Sedilame Boseja producing a goalkeeping masterclass to keep the game scoreless until the 89th minute.
After cruising to a 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opener, Nigeria found a much sterner test in a Botswana team that defended with purpose and showed flashes of attacking threat, particularly in the first half.
Photo Credit: Justina Aniefiok
Despite dominating possession, Nigeria struggled to convert pressure into chances.
Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne missed key opportunities before Botswana’s Balothany Johannes and Laone Moloi came close to shocking the group leaders, testing Chiamaka Nnadozie with long-range efforts.
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Nigeria coach Justin Madugu responded with a triple substitution at the break, bringing on Christy Ucheibe, Esther Okoronkwo, and Ihezuo to tilt the balance.
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The changes proved pivotal as Nigeria gradually increased the tempo. Ashleigh Plumptre and Deborah Abiodun created waves of pressure, and Boseja was again called into action to deny Okoronkwo and Ihezuo.
Photo Credit: Justina Aniefiok
But with fatigue setting in for Botswana, the resistance finally broke. In the 89th minute, Ihezuo pounced on a loose ball inside the area and calmly slotted past the onrushing Boseja to spark wild celebrations on the Nigeria bench.
The win takes Nigeria to six points from two matches, maintaining a perfect defensive record and sealing a place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
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Botswana, who are still without a point, now face a must-win clash against Tunisia to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.
