Chinwendu Ihezuo was the hero of the day as her 88th-minute goal handed the Super Falcons of Nigeria a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana in their second group stage match of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The win, which marks Nigeria’s second consecutive victory in the tournament, secures the Falcons a spot in the quarterfinals. They had earlier dispatched Tunisia 3-0 in their opening match, while Botswana came into the game needing a result after a narrow 1-0 loss to Algeria.
Head coach Randy Waldrum opted for consistency, fielding the same starting lineup that overwhelmed Tunisia. Asisat Oshoala and Rinsola Babajide led the frontline but were unable to convert chances in a first half dominated by missed opportunities.
Despite controlling possession and forcing several saves from Botswana’s goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija, the Super Falcons struggled to find a breakthrough. The game remained goalless until Waldrum introduced fresh legs in the second half, including Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, and Christy Ucheibe.
Ihezuo’s persistence paid off late in the game when she pounced on a rebound after a shot was parried by Bosija, calmly slotting the ball into the net to give Nigeria a deserved lead.
The Super Falcons find a way through Botswana's defence 🇳🇬🎯#WAFCON2024 | #HereForHer | #WomenInSport pic.twitter.com/tj5fsAxoEg
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 10, 2025
Speaking after the match, Coach Waldrum praised his team’s determination:
“We knew Botswana would be tough to break down, but the girls stayed focused and earned the win. Ihezuo’s impact off the bench was exactly what we needed.”
The Falcons now top Group B and will head into their final group fixture with momentum and growing confidence.
Chinwendu Ihezuo’s goal was her second of the tournament, following her strike in the opener, underlining her importance in Nigeria’s quest for an 11th WAFCON title.
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