African champions Nigeria Super Falcons on Thursday bounced back from their opening day loss to South Africa with a deserved 2-0 win over Botswana.
The nine times champions wobbled in their defeat to the Banyana Banyana on Monday but produced a more impressive performance against Botswana at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat.
Playing without star forward Asisat Oshoala who is now ruled out of the tournament, the Nigerians went in front in the 21st minute through US based forward Ifeoma Onumonu who expertly finished Halimatu Ayinde’s through ball.
The West Africans continued their dominance throughout the game although they could not add to the tally in the first half.
On resumption of play in the second, the Falcons won two corner kicks in succession and the second one (both delivered by Toni Payne) was headed home by Portugal based Christy Ucheibe who came on at half time for Rita Chikwelu.
But for the intervention of Botwana goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija who denied the Nigerians a plethora of scoring opportunities, the scoreline could perhaps have been more resounding.
That regardless, Randy Waldrum’s side now move to second place in Group C with three points from their opening two games, three behind South Africa who now have maximum six points after beating Burundi 3-1 earlier on Thursday.
Nigeria will round off their group stage activities on Sunday with a clash with Burundi at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, knowing that a draw will be enough for them to qualify for the quarter final.
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