Chinwendu Ihezuo came off the bench to score a dramatic 89th-minute winner as Nigeria Super Falcons edged past a resilient Botswana side 1-0 in their second Group B match at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Thursday.
Played at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, the encounter saw the Nigeria side dominate from the onset but struggle to convert their chances against a disciplined Botswana side marshalled by their captain and goalkeeper, Sedilame Boseja.
Despite enjoying superior possession and dictating the pace of the game, Falcons found it difficult to break the deadlock. Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne squandered two golden opportunities in the first half, while Botswana nearly stunned the Falcons with efforts from Balothany Johannes and Laone Moloi, both of which forced fine saves from Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Coach Justin Madugu responded with a triple substitution at the break, bringing in Christy Ucheibe, Esther Okoronkwo, and Chinwendu Ihezuo in a bid to add more attacking impetus. The changes eventually paid off.
Nigeria sustained their pressure in the second half, with Ashleigh Plumptre’s crosses and Deborah Abiodun’s long-range efforts keeping the Botswanan defence on the back foot. Still, Boseja stood firm, denying multiple efforts including those from Jennifer Echegini, Halimatu Ayinde, and Abiodun.
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As the clock ticked down, it seemed Botswana’s dogged defending would earn them a point. But with just a minute left in regular time, Okoronkwo delivered a low cross into the box, which Ihezuo calmly tapped in at the back post—breaking the Mares’ resistance and sealing the Super Falcons’ place in the quarter-finals.
It was Ihezuo’s second goal of the tournament, and it arrived when it mattered most.
Botswana, who lost narrowly to Algeria in their opening match, again showed heart and resilience but remain without a point in the group. They must now defeat Tunisia in their final fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, with two wins from two and yet to concede a goal, sit comfortably at the top of Group B and have secured qualification to the knockout stage with a game to spare. Though the performance lacked fluency in parts, the team’s experience and bench strength made the difference when it mattered most.
