WAFCON Botswana 0 Nigeria 2 : Onumonu & Ucheibe goals get Super Falcons back on track

Nigeria's Super Falcons on Thursday night rekindled their chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a 2-0 win against Botswana.

The nine-time African champions had to get the victory after the opening Group C 2-1  defeat to South Africa on Monday.

Ifeoma Onumonu and Christy Ucheibe got the goals for the team.

The Falcons kept possession of the ball more in the first half albeit their final passes left much to be desired.

Onumonu was presented with two clear cut chances early in the game but met with a solid Botswana defensive unit.

Onumonu however grabbed the Nigerians' goal in the 21st minute when she latched on to an exquisite pass from Halimat Ayide and sneaked the ball past a sprawling goalkeeper, Sedilame Boseja.

In the absence of injured Asisat Oshoala, Onumonu is heavily relied upon to cause damage and she went close again.

She chased down the ball from a lofted effort from Onome Ebi.

The striker could have controlled the ball first before targeting the post. The ball went out of touch for a goal kick.

Substitute Christy Ucheibe scored with her first touch moments after her introduction with a textbook header from a corner kick.

Ucheibe almost doubled the lead when she turned brilliantly to let fly a shot but it went wide.

Coach Randy Waldrum made more encouraging substitutions which ensured more creativity and chance creations but the Botswana ladies held on and the game finished 2-0.

The Falcons are second on the Group C table with a better goals difference than their opponents.

Izuchukwu Michael

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