Good Friday, July 11, 2025! Yesterday evening, the Super Falcons delivered a nail-biting performance, securing their spot in the WAFCON quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Botswana. The tension was palpable, the cheers were loud, and the drama? Oh, it was all there.
It took until the 88th minute for Chinwendu Ihezuo to break the deadlock, slotting home a crucial goal that ultimately decided the match. Talk about a clutch moment! Her late strike not only secured the win but also keeps Nigeria at the top of Group B, with a perfect six points from two matches. They’re flying high and maintaining their undefeated streak in the tournament.
The Falcons came into the game fresh off a dominant 3-0 win against Tunisia, hungry to seal their place in the knockout stages. The first half was a bit of a stalemate, but in the second, the Super Falcons really turned up the heat, creating a flurry of chances that, unfortunately, just wouldn’t go in. But the Falcons kept pushing.
Coach Justine Madugu shook things up after halftime, bringing on fresh legs to inject some attacking spark. Esther Okoronkwo and Christy Ucheibe replaced veteran Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne, while Ihezuo herself came on for Rinsola Babajide.
Despite the added energy, Botswana, still reeling from a narrow loss, proved a tough nut to crack. Their defense was solid, with goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija putting in a stellar performance. She was a wall! Bosija denied the Falcons time and time again, frustrating their attempts to get ahead. Jennifer Echegini nearly scored a beauty in the 71st minute, narrowly missing the post. Then, in the 82nd minute, Bosija blocked another powerful shot from Echegini.
But the Falcons, with their unwavering determination, finally got their reward in the dying minutes. A quick move down the flank and a perfectly executed finish by Ihezuo sealed the deal, sending the Falcons bench into a frenzy of celebrations.
This win guarantees Nigeria’s place in the quarterfinals, as they continue their quest for a record-extending tenth continental title. The Falcons are on fire, having now won their last four group-stage matches across different WAFCON editions, scoring a fantastic ten goals and conceding zero!
This victory also marks a significant milestone: It’s the first time since 2014 that Nigeria has started a WAFCON campaign with back-to-back wins. Could this be the year the Super Falcons dominate? Time will tell!
In the other Group B match played earlier in the day, Tunisia and Algeria played out…
