Nigeria kept their title hopes on track at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a gritty 1-0 win over Botswana on Thursday night in Casablanca.
The Super Falcons sealed their place in the quarterfinals thanks to a dramatic late goal, becoming the first team to reach the knockout stage.
Substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo scored in the 88th minute, bundling home a low cross from Esther Okoronkwo to give Nigeria a hard-earned victory. The win maintained Nigeria’s perfect record in Group B and sent them to the top of the standings.
With six points from two games, Nigeria are now guaranteed a top-two finish, while Algeria and Tunisia remain in contention following a goalless draw earlier in the day. Algeria sit second with four points, while Tunisia trail in third with just one.
Botswana, who made the quarterfinals in their 2022 debut, are now bottom of the group with two defeats and face possible elimination.
Nigeria wrap up their group campaign against Algeria on Sunday, while Tunisia take on Botswana at the same time.
