Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has acknowledged that his team delivered a below-par performance despite securing a 1-0 victory over Botswana in their WAFCON 2024 Group B encounter.
The nine-time African champions struggled to break down a resilient Botswana defense throughout the match, despite dominating possession from start to finish. The Nigerian side failed to register a single shot on target during the first half and appeared disjointed at various points in the game.
It took until the 90th minute for the deadlock to be broken when Esther Okoronkwo provided the assist for Chiwendu Ihezuo to score the winning goal, securing Nigeria's place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Madugu was candid about his team's performance, stating: "Individually we didn't put up a very good performance, we're not happy about this. It was a tough game, highly competitive."
The victory, however challenging, has put the Super Falcons in a strong position in Group B. They now need just one point from their final group match against Algeria on Sunday to guarantee top spot in the group standings.
Despite the underwhelming display, the result extends Nigeria's impressive run in the tournament as they continue their quest for a record-extending tenth WAFCON title. The late goal also demonstrated the team's resilience and determination to overcome difficult opponents.
Botswana, coached by Malete, had prepared well for the encounter and nearly succeeded in their defensive strategy against the continental powerhouse. Their organized defensive setup frustrated the Nigerian attackers for most of the match until the breakthrough came in the dying moments.
The Super Falcons will now turn their attention to their final group game against Algeria, where they will aim to deliver a more convincing performance while securing the point needed to finish as group winners.
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