Chiwendu Ihezuo proved to be the heroine on the night for the Super Falcons of Nigeria as they took on the Mares of Botswana in the second game of the Women's African Cup of Nations, 2024.
It was a rather tough outing for the nine-time African Champions, as the Mares proved to be very tough to handle, and showed very strong defensive resilience.
It was an unchanged lineup from Falcons head coach Justin Madugu, as he retained his entire starting squad from the win against Tunisia.
Coming into the game off the back of a three-nil win over Tunisia, the Super Falcons looked to be the better of the two sides on paper, but at the Larbi Zaouli stadium, it was not so.
In the opening stages, the Super Falcons struggled to get past the rear of the women from Botswana, as they deployed a low block, and frustrated the Falcons.
Ashleigh Plumptre in action. Photo by Justina Aniefiok
Minutes after the half hour mark, the Super Falcons tried a strike from outside the box after a good combination play, but it was way off target.
In the 34th minute, captain on the night, Rasheedat Ajibade played a pass for Asisat Oshoala, whose strike was blocked, but the ball fell to Toni Payne who fired over a the bar from close range, much to the shock of many Nigerian fans.
The first half hence ended in a goalless draw.
The second 45 soon began, and coach Madugu made a triple substitution, taking off Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide, and introducing Chiwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okworonkwo and Christy Ucheibe, as he tried to change the game.
He also introduced PSG'S Jennifer Echegini for Deborah Abiodun, who had been yellow carded, and will miss the Falcons' final group stage game against Algeria.
These changes would later yield rewards, as Jennifer Echegini got the ball in the box, but her effort missed the target, just by the whisker.
The Super Falcons started to mount the pressure as the game was heading into its latter stages.
Esther Okworonkwo played a cut back, trying to find Ihezuo, but goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija did well to come out to claim.
Minutes later, Rasheedat Ajibade tried an adventurous effort from yards outside the area, but Bosija was on hand to prevent it from creeping in.
The Falcons would still not lie down!
Rasheedat Ajibade, put in a good cross from the right hand flank, which Ihezuo couldn't reach, but it fell kindly to Jennifer Echegini who hit a brilliant strike to force a top draw save from Bosija once again who proved her worth on the night.
Three minutes to the end of the 90, the ball was played into Esther Okworonkwo down the right hand channel, who then cut into her left foot and whipped a brilliant ball into the box, and Chiwendu Ihezuo did well to outsmart her markers and help the ball into the back of the net, for Nigeria's breakthrough, making it her second goal off the bench in two games.
The Falcons hence held on to the slim advantage and remained resolute as the Botswanans tried to come back into the game, but Ihezuo's strike had already done the damage!
The Super Falcons have thus qualified to the Quarter finals of the 2024 Women's African Cup of Nations with six points in two games, but will face Algeria in their final group game.