Defending champions Super Falcons are hard pressed to beat rampant Botswana tonight to get their 2022 WAFCON campaign back on course after they fell to South Africa in a Group C opener.
On Monday night, the Falcons were poor against Banyana Banyana, who deserved their 2-1 victory.
The nine-time WAFCON champions will now take on Botswana, who beat fellow WAFCON debutants Burundi 4-2 to shoot to the top of the group.
The Falcons title defence has been made a lot tougher in the absence of Barcelona star and top striker Asisat Oshoala.
Oshoala has returned to Spain for more medical attention after she suffered a knee injury against South Africa.
USA-based Ifeoma Onumonu will have to step up in front of goal in the absence of the four-time CAF African Player of the Year.
Onumonu proved her predatory instincts in the all-important WAFCON playoffs against Cote d’Ivoire with a brace in Abuja.
She will need to replicate such form tonight to get Nigeria going again in Morocco.
France-based goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was suspended for the opening game against South Africa, will be expected to start in place of Tochukwu Oluehi.
But the defence led by the 39-year-old captain Onome Ebi will have to do a lot more if they hoped to shut out a rampant Botswana attack led by Refilwe Tholakele, who fired a brace against Burundi.
Kick-off time tonight is 9pm.
