WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons Thump Botswana To Rise To Second On Standings

Defending champions Nigeria's Super Falcons rose to second on the standings of Group C of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2022 campaign with a 2-0 win over Botswana in Rabat on Thursday.

The victory means they rose to second place in Group C behind already-qualified South Africa, with Botswana dropping from the table’s apex to third place.

South Africa had earlier in the day thumped Burundi 3-1 to lead the group and advance to the quarter-finals.

Botswana, 4-2 winners over Burundi on opening day, had led the group following the Super Falcons’ 1-2 loss to the Banyana Banyana on Monday.

But on Thursday, U.S.-based forward Ifeoma Onumonu put the Falcons on their way with a sweet finish in the 21st minute from an intelligent through pass by Halimat Ayinde.

The Falcons who were playing without one of their talismans, Asisat Oshoala had before then looked brighter on the break than they did against South Africa, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Onumonu and Francisca Ordega launching onslaughts which unsettled their opponents.

Botswana had their own song in the half, with Tholakele rattling goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from a 22-yard free-kick in the 31st minute.

She then shot straight at the Nnadozie six minutes later.

Substitute Christy Ucheibe, with her first touch of the ball, scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 48th minute.

She rose highest in the penalty box to nod home Payne’s heaved effort from a corner-kick.

Five minutes later, Ucheibe controlled and lashed slightly over the bar.

When Gift Monday and Regina Otu joined the fray in place of Ordega and Okobi-Okeoghene in the 63rd minute, Nigeria’s rejuvenation was unmistakable.

Onumonu had a couple more goalscoring chances, while Ayinde’s angled shot from 25 yards was punched away and Uchenna Kanu saw her shot blocked.

The Super Falcons will now on Sunday face Burundi, who are already out of contention, with a win certain to guarantee for them a place in the competition’s quarter-finals.

Botswana on the other hand need at least a draw against South Africa to have hopes of securing a quarter-final spot through the best-losers spot.

But a win for Botswana can drop Nigeria to the third spot, with the title-holders needing to reach the quarter-finals only if they beat Burundi, or get at least a draw.

Group C Standings

Team                                    P        W       D       L       GF        GA           GD       Pts

South Africa                         2          2        0       0         5           2              +3        6

Nigeria                                 2           1        0       1        3           2              +1        3

Botswana                             2           1       0        1       4              4               0        3

Burundi                                 2            0        0        2       3           7               -4        0