WAFCON 2022: Defending champions Nigeria face crucial test against Botswana as Banyana Banyana eye QF ticket

Nine-time Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions Nigeria will be seeking to get their very first win of the tournament when they face current pool toppers Botswana in a crucial Group C tie for the defending champions set to take place on Thursday evening at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria lost their opening fixture against rivals South Africa 2-1 in a repeat of the 2018 edition opener and head into the game against Botswana needing a win to keep alive their hopes of progressing out of the group stages.

In their quest for a first win, the Randy Waldrum coached side will have to do without poster girl and four-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament strain against South Africa on Monday.

Despite her absence, the American coach is confident that her team has what it takes to get over the line against Botswana after re-evaluating themselves following the defeat to Banyana Banyana.

“After the loss, we spent time with the players and regrouped and we are ready for this game. We are ready to get the job done,” he is quoted on CAF’s website.

On the other hand, Botswana find themselves with a chance to confirm a quarter final place should they fork out a defeat against Nigeria as they currently top group C. The Mares come into the clash looking to maintain their winning ways, though they face a wounded Super Falcons outfit that is desperate to get points.

Botswana head coach Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang said ahead of the match, “We fancy a good challenge. One thing for me as a coach, I want to play against the big coaches and for the team, we want to face the best. That motivates us so we will go out there and show who we are as Botswana.”

The clash kicks off at 2300EAT.

In the other group game, South Africa will be looking to confirm their quarter final place with a game to spare when they face Burundi in the first match of the day.

Banyana Banyana picked their first win in the tourney with an impressive 2-1 win over Nigeria and will look to build on that win when they take on Burundi who occupy last place in the table after going down to a 4-2 defeat against Botswana.

The match kicks off at 2000EAT.