Nigeria’s Super Falcons have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana on Thursday evening at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when Mexico-based striker Chinwendu Ihezuo, who also scored in Nigeria’s 3-0 win against Tunisia, latched onto a well-placed pass from Esther Okoronkwo to seal the win.

Despite early pressure from Botswana — including a fierce shot by Refilwe Tholakele that forced two saves from goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie — the Super Falcons found it difficult to break down a defence-heavy Botswana side that packed players behind the ball.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide all probed the Southern African team’s backline to no avail in a largely scrappy affair.

Defender Ashley Plumptre and substitute Ihezuo both came close in the second half, with Maitumelo Bosija — Botswana’s South Africa-based goalkeeper — making several key stops to keep her team in contention.

Eventually, it was substitute Okoronkwo who unlocked the Botswana defence with a clever play and provided the assist for Ihezuo’s match-winner.

The Super Falcons will play Algeria in their final Group B match on Sunday, 6th July, at the same venue in Casablanca.

Meanwhile, at the Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Ghana, Nigeria’s U20 men’s team, the Flying Eagles, kicked off their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw against hosts Ghana.

Ghana struck first in the 26th minute through their captain Musbau Azeez. Nigeria’s captain, Daniel Bameyi, was booked for a hard tackle seven minutes later as the Black Satellites continued to dominate the first half.

In the second half, the Flying Eagles grew into the game. Despite a denied penalty appeal in the 66th minute and a narrowly missed free kick from Odinaka Okoro in the 76th, it wasn’t until the 84th minute that Nigeria equalised.

 Mohammed Abdulahi rose highest to head home from a corner, levelling the score and rescuing a point for Nigeria.

The Flying Eagles will face the Young Cheetahs of Benin Republic in their next Group A fixture on Sunday.

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