Nigerians express concern as Super Falcons struggle to beat Botswana, advance to last 8: "We never get coach"

• Super Falcons person precocious to the quarter-finals of the 12th Women's Africa Cup of Nations successful Morocco
• A lone extremity from Chinwendu Ihezuo gave Nigeria a hard-earned triumph against stubborn Botswana successful their 2nd lucifer played astatine Casablanca
• Nigerians are questioning the tactical quality of manager Justin Madugu contempt the array of stars successful the team

Super Falcons bushed Botswana 1-0 successful their 2nd lucifer successful the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) played astatine the Larbi Zaouli Stadium successful Casablanca, Morocco connected Thursday night, July 10.

Mexico-based Nigerian player, Chinwendu Ihezuo, who came connected arsenic substitute, scored successful the 88th infinitesimal to springiness the squad their 2nd triumph of the tournament.

That would beryllium her 2nd extremity of the tournament, pursuing her archetypal extremity against Tunisia.

Chinwendu Ihezuo astatine the Women's radical B lucifer astatine the Olympic Games Paris 2024 astatine Stade de Nice connected July 28, 2024 successful Nice, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Source: Getty Images

How Falcons overcame Botswana

Botswana sent an aboriginal informing to Nigeria arsenic Refilwe Tholakele's changeable caught goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie unaware, making a treble save.

The Mares made respective counter-attacks but got thwarted by Ashley Plumptre astatine the backline. Super Falcons got into the game, but their attacking force, comprising Rasheed Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne, and Rinsola Babajide, could not person a goal.

In the 23rd minute, Ashley Plumptre surged guardant again but missed a bully accidental from Ajibade’s pass. Eleven minutes later, Payne skyrocketed erstwhile wide connected extremity from different transverse from the right.

Asisat Oshoala failed to find her bushed passim the archetypal fractional arsenic she struggled to marque an impact.

Coach Justin Madugu introduced Chinwendu into the crippled and she made her beingness known aft her header went implicit the barroom successful the 48th minute. Versatile defender Plumptre saw her changeable parried implicit the barroom by the goalkeeper successful the 64th minute, per Channels.

Substitute Jennifer Echegini came adjacent with a snapshot successful the 71st minute, and past called upon the agility of South Africa-based Bosija with an angled changeable successful the 82nd minute.

Ihezuo ensured that her instauration into the crippled counted successful the 88th minute, latching onto a escaped shot successful the opponent’s container to springiness Nigeria the maximum points, per BBC.

Super Falcons person go the archetypal state to suffice for the quarterfinals of the 10th WAFCON.

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre successful enactment against Botswana during the 10th WAFCON successful Morocco. Photo by: Justinaaniefiok.
Source: Twitter

Fans respond to Falcons' win

Legit.ng compiled reactions that trailed the lucifer betwixt Nigeria and Botswana. Read them below:

Dennis Michael wrote:

"Apart from Ashley Plumptre, the crosses from the flanks lackluster. The manager is conscionable riding connected the idiosyncratic brilliance of the girls. When we conscionable a much organized squad similar South Africa, I can't ideate what the people enactment volition be. God assistance us."

Stella Udo added:

"When the 2nd fractional Started I saw Toni Payne substituted for Uchibe."Making it 3 DMF Uchibe,Abiodun and Ayinde successful a shot crippled that we privation to Press forward."It is precise laughable I indispensable say,A large Joke 🤣. I americium connected this enactment Questioning the Tacticalitty of our Coaching Team."

Nneji Sixtus Beluchi said:

"Super Falcons are not what they utilized to be. Common Botswana? Just 1:0?"Folarin Eniayewu wrote:"Sometimes this is what champions do... They grind retired effect from a frustrating game."

Divinewealth Divinewealth added:

"Nigeria Super Falcons don't person immoderate manager the antheral coaching them is conscionable confused similar Graham Potter the erstwhile Chelsea coach."

Chisom Agoha wrote:

"Abeg our manager nerd much counseling."Abeg the tactics helium utilized contiguous helium shouldn't usage it furyhy."

Oshoala mourns Rufai

Legit.ng earlier reported that six-time Africa Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala paid a peculiar tribute to legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai during the ongoing WAFCON.

Super Falcons players honoured the 1994 AFCON victor by donning achromatic armbands during their 3-0 triumph against Tunisia connected Sunday evening, July 6.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck retired quality that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” artifact connected the location leafage and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng