The Super Falcons of Nigeria have secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 WAFCON, thanks to a dramatic late winner from Chiwendu Ihezuo in their Group B clash against Botswana on Thursday. The hard-earned 1-0 victory marks their second straight win of the tournament and keeps their unbeaten run intact.
Facing a resilient Botswana side, Nigeria dominated possession but struggled to convert chances throughout the match. Standout efforts from Ashleigh Plumptre, Jennifer Echegini, and Rasheedat Ajibade tested the opposition, but the breakthrough remained elusive for most of the game.
It wasn’t until the 89th minute that the deadlock was finally broken. A pinpoint cross from Esther Okoronkwo found Ihezuo, who managed to shake off her marker and slot home the decisive goal. The striker has now scored in back-to-back matches, following her goal in the Falcons’ 3-0 opener against Tunisia.
Head coach Justin Madugu opted to stick with his starting XI from the first match, and while it took time, the team’s persistence ultimately paid off. With this win, the Super Falcons continue their strong showing in the tournament, having scored four goals and conceded none so far.
This result also continues Nigeria’s dominance over Botswana at WAFCON, following a 2-0 win in their 2022 encounter. Now topping Group B with six points, the Falcons are followed by Algeria with four, Tunisia with one, and Botswana yet to register a point.
Next up, Nigeria will face Algeria in their final group game, while aiming to maintain their momentum and finish the group stage on a high.
