Nigeria Secure Narrow 1-0 Victory Over Botswana in WAFCON to Seal Quarter-Final Spot

Casablanca, Thursday – A dramatic late strike from substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo in the 89th minute saw Nigeria edge past a resolute Botswana side, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 victory in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. With the win, Nigeria secured their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

The Super Falcons, who are nine-time WAFCON winners, struggled throughout the match to break down Botswana’s sturdy defense and excellent goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Nigeria looked like they might be frustrated by The Mares, who held firm for much of the game.

A Game of Missed Opportunities

From the outset, Nigeria applied pressure, but they found it tough to breach the Botswana defense. Ashleigh Plumptre, the Nigerian left-back, was arguably Nigeria’s most creative player, delivering dangerous crosses and searching balls into the attacking third. Early on, she fired a shot wide under pressure but continued to provide the Super Falcons with key service.

Toni Payne also had a chance, firing over the crossbar after Asisat Oshoala set her up, and Chinwendu Ihezuo, who came on at halftime as part of a triple substitution, had a headed opportunity from a Plumptre cross but couldn’t direct it on target. The Super Falcons continued to push, but were thwarted time and again by Boseja.

Substitute Jennifer Echegini almost made an immediate impact, finding space in the box, but her shot sailed just wide of the post. The Botswana goalkeeper’s reaction time was exemplary, particularly when she saved at Ihezuo's feet in the 75th minute after a well-timed pass into the box.

Despite Nigeria's dominance, the match looked destined for a frustrating stalemate. However, in the 89th minute, Nigeria finally broke the deadlock. Esther Okoronkwo sent a low cross into the six-yard box, and Ihezuo was in the right place at the back post to turn the ball in, securing her second goal of the tournament.

Boseja Shines for Botswana

Despite the loss, Botswana can hold their heads high after another strong performance. Sedilame Boseja, who was a standout player in Botswana’s opening match against Algeria, continued to deliver world-class performances, making several key saves to keep her side in the game. Her reaction to an Echegini shot destined for the far corner was nothing short of spectacular, preserving the slim chance of an upset for as long as possible.

The Mares exhibited strong organization and resilience, frustrating Nigeria’s attackers with their defensive shape. However, they struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities, as the Nigerian defense proved equally difficult to break down. This marked the fifth consecutive loss for Botswana in the WAFCON, with four of those defeats coming by a single goal margin.

Nigeria's Perfect Start to the Tournament

With the win, Nigeria continue their perfect record in the tournament, having previously defeated Tunisia 3-0 in their opener. Remarkably, this is the first time since 1998 that Nigeria have not conceded a goal in their first two games of the WAFCON. The Super Falcons now sit atop Group B, with qualification for the quarter-finals already secured.

Nigeria have won their last four group games in the competition, scoring 10 goals and conceding none. This performance is a testament to their strength and ability to break down stubborn opposition, as they look to add another WAFCON title to their trophy cabinet.

Looking Ahead

As Nigeria progress to the knockout stages, they will be hoping for better efficiency in front of goal, as their next challenge may demand a more clinical performance. The team will be buoyed by their resilience, with their late winner showcasing the never-say-die spirit that has long defined Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football.

For Botswana, there are positives to take away from a performance that, despite the result, showed their defensive solidity and a goalkeeper who continues to shine on the continental stage. However, they will need to address their lack of attacking threat if they are to find success in future tournaments.

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