A late goal from Chinwendu Ihezuo was enough to secure Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as the Super Falcons edged past a spirited Botswana side 1-0 in Casablanca on Thursday.
In a tightly contested encounter at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, Ihezuo’s composed 89th-minute finish finally broke the resistance of the Mares, who had frustrated the nine-time champions for much of the game with a disciplined defensive display and outstanding goalkeeping from captain Sedilame Boseja.
Nigeria, who had thumped Tunisia 3-0 in their opener, were made to work far harder by a Botswana side determined to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Algeria.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Nigeria struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half.
Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne both squandered opportunities before the break, while Botswana nearly took a shock lead through Balothany Johannes and Laone Moloi, whose efforts forced saves from Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Justin Madugu made a triple change at half-time, introducing Christy Ucheibe, Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo to inject fresh energy—and the move proved decisive.
Nigeria gradually upped the pressure in the second half, with Ashleigh Plumptre’s delivery and Deborah Abiodun’s drive keeping Botswana pinned back.
Ihezuo went close with a header just after the break before eventually finding the net in the dying minutes, slotting home after good work in the buildup.
Boseja, who had made several crucial stops, could do little to deny the winner after 88 minutes of resistance.
Botswana offered little in response as fatigue set in, and the Super Falcons calmly saw out the win.
With two wins from two and yet to concede a goal, Nigeria top Group B and are safely through to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Botswana, meanwhile, remain without a point and must defeat Tunisia in their final match to have any chance of advancing.
While Nigeria’s display lacked fluency at times, their experience and squad depth ultimately made the difference. For Botswana, it was another performance full of heart—but lacking reward.
Nigeria’s campaign for a 10th continental title at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations plodded frontally on Thursday after the Super Falcons bagged all three points against their counterparts from Botswana to reach the competition’s quarter finals.
Mexico-based Chinwendu Ihezuo, scorer of the third goal in the 3-0 rout of Tunisia on Sunday, stretched her left leg adroitly to connect from a great pass by Esther Okoronkwo and give Nigeria the day from a largely-scrappy encounter in Casablanca.
Refilwe Tholakele indicated early on that it was not going to be an all-Nigeria evening, as her fierce shot from a bold move from the Southern Africans rattled goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who had to make a second save as the ball spilled.
Botswana threw women in numbers behind the ball as they opted for damage limitation, and nearly came out in flying colours as captain Rasheed Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide could find no thoroughfare to the goal-line.
Midway into the first stanza, attack-minded defender Ashley Plumptre surged forward again but missed a good chance from Ajibade’s pass. Eleven minutes later, Payne skyrocketed when clear on goal from another cross from the right.
Substitute Jennifer Echegini came close with a snapshot in the 71st minute, and then called upon the agility of South Africa-based Bosija with an angled shot in the 82nd minute.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper was finally beaten with a minute left in regulation time, when Okoronkwo foxed the Botswana rearguard before a well-placed pass that Ihezuo converted for all three points.
The Super Falcons will take on Algeria in their last match of group B on Sunday evening, at the same Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
