The Super Falcons Thursday night in Rabat, Morocco, bounced back from an opening day loss to beat Botswana 2-0 and get their 2022 WAFCON campaign back on track.
South Africa top Group C with six points after a 3-1 win over Burundi, while Nigeria have climbed to second place on three points as they enjoy a better goals difference than Botswana, who also have three points.
Burundi are still to record any points after two rounds of matches.
The Falcons next face Burundi in a final group game Sunday as the race for the two automatic qualifiers will now go down to the wire.
Defending champions Nigeria took the lead in the 21st minute, when USA-based striker Ifeoma Onumonu slotted home after she was expertly set up by Halimat Ayinde.
The Falcons doubled their lead three minutes after the restart when substitute Christy Ucheibe made an instant impact when she rose highest to head home a corner by Toni Payne.
This was good response by the reigning champions after they fell 2-1 to South Africa in their opening group game Monday.
They were on front foot from the first whistle, while WAFCON debutants Botswana showed them too much respect by sitting back in their own half of the pitch and failed to create clear-cut chances.
