Super Falcons returned to winning ways at the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after beating high-flying Botswana 2-0 at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat on Thursday.
Ifeoma Onumonu scored the opener for the Falcons in the 21st minute.
The Gotham FC forward latched onto a short pass from midfield to break the deadlock for the Falcons, finding the far corner with a low drive for her fourth goal for Nigeria.
The African champions then sealed victory after substitute Christy Ucheibe added a second in the 48th minute.
The win boosted the Falcons’ chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition and also kept their hopes of winning a 10th WAFCON title alive.
Botswana came into the encounter on the back of a resounding 4-2 victory over Burundi, while the Falcons lost 2-1 to South Africa in their opening fixture.
Falcons coach Randy Waldrum made three changes to his starting line-up, with Francisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Chiamaka Nnadozie replacing injured Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre and Tobechukwu Oluehi respectively.
The nine-time winners began the game aggressively, dictating the pace and dominating possession but found it difficult breaking down the Mares, who were resolute in defending.
And they almost drew level in the 31st minute when Refilwe Tholakele’s long-range free-kick was saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Tholakele came close again minutes later when she skipped past captain Onome Ebi but her low drive was saved by Nnadozie.
Waldrum brought on Ucheibe for the ageing and tired Rita Chikwelu just after the break and the change was instant, as the midfielder leapt highest to head home Francisca Ordega’s corner kick just three minutes into the second half.
The hardworking Ucheibe almost got her second of the night but saw her shot narrowly miss target from inside the box.