Nigeria booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Botswana on Thursday, thanks to a late goal from substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo, Footynaija.com reports.
The Super Falcons were made to work for all three points at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, as Botswana – the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 153rd in the world – held firm for 88 minutes before finally being breached.
Nigeria, ranked 36th globally and the continent’s most successful women’s side, dominated possession and created the better chances, but Botswana’s compact defensive shape and spirited goalkeeping from Sedilame Boseja kept them at bay for much of the contest.
The first half saw Nigeria in control but wasteful. Ashleigh Plumptre had a good opportunity midway through the half but fired wide under pressure. Botswana responded with a couple of speculative long-range efforts, though they never truly tested Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal.
Nigeria coach Justin Madugu made a triple substitution at the break, introducing Ihezuo, Toni Payne and Jennifer Okoronkwo in a bid to spark some attacking urgency. Ihezuo, who had also scored in the 3-0 win over Tunisia, nearly found the net minutes after coming on but missed with a close-range header.
A LATE STRIKE!!!
Ihezuo goal that broke stubborn Botswana. pic.twitter.com/chaltRdPaL
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel (@OgaNlaMedia) July 10, 2025
Boseja kept Botswana in the match with a brilliant diving save to deny Echegini in the 82nd minute, but her resistance was finally broken six minutes later. A scramble in the box ended with Ihezuo calmly slotting home from close range to seal Nigeria’s passage to the knockout stage.
With two wins from two, Nigeria are the first team to reach the WAFCON 2024 quarterfinals. For Botswana, it was a cruel end to a valiant performance that nearly earned them a historic result.