In a thrilling event that took place in July 10, 2025 in Stade Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca, the Nigerian female player, Ihezuo spares Oshoala’s blushes as Super Falcons struggled against Botswana. A gritty victory
From the results of the match, the Super Falcons has booked their spot in the WAFCON quarter-finals with that narrow 1–0 win over the warring Botswana side. It wasn’t the most stylish or excellent performance, but Nigeria’s resilience and expertise once again paid off.
⚽ Match Summary
- Goal
- Chinwendu Ihezuo (88′) — the substitute came off the bench to head in a decisive cross from Esther Okoronkwo, sealing the win in the dying moments.
📊 Key Match Stats
| Metric | Nigeria | Botswana |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ~65% | ~35% |
| Shots (first half) | 6 attempts, 0 on target | Few counter chances |
| Substitutions | 3 at HT | Defensive adjustments |
| Total shots | Roughly 12 | A handful (2–3 clear-cut) |
- Nigeria dominated early but failed to convert, with Toni Payne and Asisat Oshoala squandering opportunities for near-misses.
- Botswana defended stoutly. Goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja made multiple crucial saves, frustrating Nigeria until the late breakthrough.
🌟 Player Highlights
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (GK) – Solid with key saves; earned a 6.5/10 rating.
- Ashleigh Plumptre – Injected energy from fullback; rated 6.9/10.
- Chinwendu Ihezuo – A true super-sub; came on at half-time and delivered a match-winner—rated 7/10.
- Esther Okoronkwo – Her incisive cross led to the goal; earned 6.8/10.
- Deborah Abiodun – Picked up a yellow card and now faces a suspension for the next match.
🧠 Tactical Takeaways
- Coach Justin Madugu opted for consistency in selection after the Tunisia win, but reshuffled the midfield and attack at half-time—introducing Ucheibe, Okoronkwo, and Ihezuo to boost dynamism and it yielded positive result.
- Botswana’s strategy centered on a low block and swift counters. They executed defensively well, but had little end-product in attack. Their coach really needs to work on that to get a clinical finishing.
- Nigeria, while dominant, looked sluggish at times and possessions looks slimmer but succeeded breaking the deadlock late which suggest they’ll need sharper transitions against tougher opponents ahead.
- Explore our coverage of Super Falcons Opening: WAFCON: Super Falcons Trash Tunisia 3-0 in Opener
What Lies Ahead
- Nigeria tops Group B with 6 points and a clean sheet record of not conceding any goal in the first two matches. They’ll now focus on their final match against Algeria, with all eyes fixed on their side.
- Botswana remains pointless and must beat Tunisia in their last group game to stay afloat. Though this will be a match to after their resolute display over Super Falcons.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t vintage Super Falcons football, but it was undeniably result oriented. The reliance on substitutions made by the coach, especially that of Ihezuo and Okoronkwo, paid off and showcased Nigeria’s superiority. Yet the first-half struggles spotlight loopholes areas that needs attention: smooth build-up play, sharper passing, and converting possession into tangible chances.
As Falcons gear up for the knockout stage, they must fine-tune their match approach by combining dominance with clinical finishing, if they must reclaim their WAFCON championship title.
Join the Conversation:
What did you make of the late winner? Are substitutions the key to this team’s success? Drop your thoughts below!
