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Late show sees Nigeria beat brave Botswana

football10 July 2025 21:00| © Mzansi Football
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Substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo scored an 89th minutes winner as Nigeria overcame stout resistance from Botswana to claim a 1-0 victory in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Thursday, sealing a quarter-final place in the process.

Record nine-time winners Nigeria made heavy weather of it and looked as though they would be frustrated by Botswana and their excellent goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja, but The Mares’ resistance was finally broken with a minute of normal time remaining.

Esther Okoronkwo fired a low cross into the six-yard box and Ihezuo was on hand to turned the ball in at the back post for her second goal of the tournament.

Nigeria have now won their last four WAFCON group games, scoring 10 goals without conceding, and cannot finish outside the top two places in the pool, ensuring a knockout berth.

Following their 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opener, it is remarkably the first time Nigeria have not conceded in their opening two games of the campaign since 1998.

Botswana have still never kept a clean sheet at the finals, though they came so close, and are currently on a five-match losing streak at the finals. Their four defeats at the finals have all been by a one-goal margin.

The Mares provided stout resistance in this encounter with their organisation and shape, even if they found it hard themselves to create clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Nigeria left-back Ashleigh Plumptre fired wide under pressure early on but proved perhaps the best creative source for the Super Falcons with her excellent balls into attacking areas and pinpoint crosses.

Toni Payne fired over at the back post as the ball fell to her following good work from contain Asisat Oshoala, while Ihezuo, on at halftime as one of three changes, had an early headed chance from Plumptre’s delivery but lifted her effort over the crossbar.

Nigeria substitute Jennifer Echegini almost made an instant impact when she found space in the box to shoot, but her effort flashed wide of the post.

Botswana keeper Boseja was excellent throughout and had to react quickly to save at the feet of Ihezuo with 15 minutes to go.

Mamelodi Sundowns keeper Boseja was superb against Algeria in Botswana’s opener and was her team’s best player again.

Echegini looked destined to score when shot curled an effort into the far right-hand corner, but Boseja pulled off another stunning save.

But with the clock ticking down, Nigeria found their winning moment as great champion teams often do and snatched the three points.

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