Nigeria secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a late 1-0 victory over Botswana in Casablanca on Thursday night.
Chinwendu Ihezuo struck in the 88th minute to finally break the deadlock after the Super Falcons dominated possession but struggled to convert chances.
The win takes Nigeria to six points from two games and extends their WAFCON group stage winning streak to five matches, with the team now going 450 minutes without conceding.
Coming off a 3-0 win against Tunisia, Nigeria made three changes at half-time as coach Justine Madugu searched for a breakthrough.
Ihezuo, Christy Ucheibe and Esther Okoronkwo were all introduced and eventually helped turn pressure into a goal.
Jennifer Echegini came close twice in the second half before Ihezuo pounced on a loose ball to score her second goal of the tournament.
Botswana, who remain on one point, now face a must-win match against Tunisia in their final group game.
Meanwhile, Nigeria sit top of Group B and face Algeria next, aiming to finish the group stage with a perfect record.
