Nigeria sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Botswana on Thursday night, thanks to a late strike from Chinwendu Ihezuo in Casablanca,.
The Super Falcons were made to wait until the 88th minute before finding a breakthrough, in a match where they dominated possession but struggled to convert chances.
The result takes Nigeria to six points from two games and extends their winning run in WAFCON group stage matches to five, having now gone 450 minutes without conceding.
Coming into the tie off a confident 3-0 win over Tunisia, Nigeria made three changes at the break after a frustrating first half that ended goalless.
Coach Justine Madugu introduced Chinwendu Ihezuo, Christy Ucheibe and Esther Okoronkwo in a triple substitution as he searched for greater attacking impact.
The changes eventually paid off late in the second half after Nigeria continued to push for a winner, with Botswana struggling to hold off wave after wave of pressure.
Before the goal, Jennifer Echegini, who had replaced the booked Deborah Abiodun in the 70th minute, came closest to breaking the deadlock. Her curling effort in the 82nd minute forced a sharp save from Botswana goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja, who had earlier been treated for injury.
Echegini had also gone close in the 71st minute with a left-footed strike that flew just wide.
Nigeria’s breakthrough came just two minutes from time. Ihezuo, who had scored in the opening win over Tunisia, reacted first to a loose ball in the box and powered it past Boseja to hand Nigeria all three points.
It was her second goal in two games, which underlines her growing importance in Madugu’s plans.
The game started with high energy from both sides, but neither could find rhythm early on. Nigeria dominated in midfield, with Halimatu Ayinde and Toni Payne helping to create openings.
Efforts from Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade were either wayward or well defended by the Mares, who were aiming to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Algeria in their first group match.
Botswana had moments of threat in the first half. Lone Gaofetoge and Lesego Radiakanyo were involved in quick transitions that caught the Falcons’ defence unawares, but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was alert to deny a long-range shot from Laone Moloi in the 33rd minute.
The Mares also won several free-kicks in dangerous areas but could not convert them into clear-cut chances.
Nigeria’s best chances before the break came in quick succession. Ashleigh Plumptre’s shot flew over the bar in the 23rd minute before Osinachi Ohale and Toni Payne also missed from close range.
Oshoala’s final act of the night was a low drive that drifted wide before she was replaced by Okoronkwo at half-time.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Nigeria taking control and Botswana sitting deep.
Ihezuo, who replaced Rinsola Babajide, had an early header go over the bar, while Deborah Abiodun picked up a yellow card that rules her out of the next group game against Algeria.
Despite the frustrating delays and Botswana’s defensive efforts, the Falcons stayed patient.
Echegini’s introduction gave Nigeria more urgency, and her movement kept the Mares under pressure. Just as the game appeared to be heading for a draw, Ihezuo pounced to settle the contest.
It was a well-earned win for Nigeria, who now sit top of Group B and have booked a place in the quarter-finals with one match to spare.
The clean sheet also means Nigeria have not conceded in their opening two group games for the first time since 1998.
Botswana, on the other hand, now face an uphill task to qualify. With only one point from two games, they must beat Tunisia in their final match and hope other results go their way to have any chance of advancing.
Elsewhere in the group, Tunisia and Algeria had earlier played out a goalless draw in Casablanca. The result left both teams on one point and added further importance to the final round of matches in Group B.
With Nigeria through and showing strong defensive form, Madugu’s side will head into their clash with Algeria full of confidence, aiming to make it three wins from three and carry momentum into the knockout rounds.
