WAFCON 2025: Nigeria Set for Crucial Second Group Game Against Botswana

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will return to action on Thursday as they face Botswana in their second group game at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The match will take place at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, and holds major significance for both sides in determining their fate in the group stage.

Nigeria will be aiming to secure early qualification to the quarter-finals with a win. A victory would see the nine-time champions through to the next round, while a loss could leave them needing to win their final group match to advance.

Botswana, on the other hand, are under pressure after losing their opening game 1–0 to Algeria. A second defeat could dent their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages, making the clash against Nigeria a must-win.

In contrast, Nigeria started their campaign on a high, defeating Tunisia 3–0 in their opener. The two teams previously met at the 2022 WAFCON, with Nigeria winning 2–0 in the group stage.

What the Coaches Are Saying

Nigeria – Head Coach Justin Madugu:
“Our approach to every match is different because each game comes with its own challenges. In terms of preparations, we are in good shape and ready to go.”

Nigeria Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie:
“We respect Botswana. We played them in 2022, and we expect them to come with a different strategy. But we’re focused on winning and collecting all three points.”

Botswana – Head Coach Basimanebotlhe Alex Malete:
“This is a big opportunity for us. We didn’t start the tournament well, but I believe that on Thursday we must make every moment count from the first whistle.”

Botswana Goalkeeper Sedilame Maitumelo Bosija:
“We’re going to give our all so that people can see we’re serious and ready to win.”

Match Facts

Botswana:

• Have lost four consecutive WAFCON finals matches.
• Each of their last three losses at the finals have been by a one-goal margin (excluding 2022 placement matches).
• Their only recent WAFCON victory was against Burundi in the 2024 opener.
• Have never kept a clean sheet at the WAFCON finals, conceding in every match.
• Have scored just one goal in their last four WAFCON matches — in a 2–1 quarterfinal loss to Morocco in 2022.

Nigeria:

• Are on a three-game winning streak in WAFCON group stage matches, scoring nine goals without conceding.
• A win against Botswana would mark their first back-to-back group stage wins to open a tournament since 2014.
• A clean sheet would mean Nigeria remains unbeaten in the opening two matches for the first time since 1998.
• Nigeria have only failed to win their second group match three times: 2–2 vs Cameroon (2004), 0–0 vs Tunisia (2008), and 1–1 vs Ghana (2016).
• They have failed to score in only two second group games: a 2002 loss to Ghana and a 2008 draw with Cameroon.

Asisat Oshoala continues to write history, scoring her 14th WAFCON career goal. She has now scored in all four editions she has played in since 2014.

Up Next:
South Africa opened Group C with a win over Ghana on July 7, while Zambia’s Barbara Banda led her team to victory over Senegal on July 9.