Duro Ikhazuagbe 

Nigeria berthed the quarter finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Thursday night following Super Falcons’ 1-0 victory over Botswana.

Chinwendu Ihezuo’s 89th minute lone strike earned the nine-time African champions the qualification to the quarter final despite a near lacklustre performance in Casablanca, Morocco.

The victory over Botswana catapulted Super Falcons to top Group B on maximum six points ahead of second-placed Algeria on four points. 

The Algerians in earlier fixture drew goalless with Tunisia.

This is the first time that the Super Falcons will win back-to-back games in the WAFCON.

Like it was in the 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opening group game, it was not a vintage performance by Falcons.

They would certainly have to step up their game in the knockout rounds were they to make true their mission to win a record-extending 10th WAFCON.

Botswana’s resolute defence and impressive goalkeeper kept the star-studded Super Falcons out until two minutes from time when substitute striker Chinwendu Ihezuo sneaked behind the defence to tap home the match winner.

Mexico-based Ihezuo is now the Super Sub having scored twice after coming off the bench.

The Nigerians were again wasteful in front of goal, like was the case against Tunisia, before the last-ditch effort saved them their blushes on the night.

The Algeria versus Tunisia clash pitted two familiar North African neighbours against each other, the much-anticipated Maghreb derby at Stade Père Jégo offered intensity and grit but ultimately lacked the cutting edge, as neither side managed to break the deadlock.

Tunisia, who came into the match desperate to respond after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Nigeria in their opener, showed far more discipline and attacking intent than in their previous outing.

Yet despite their renewed purpose, they failed to convert promising opportunities into goals, extending their scoreless run at WAFCON finals to five consecutive matches.

​