Super Falcons sealed a quarter-final spot after defeating Botswana 1–0 in Casablanca on Thursday.
Their second group win guarantees $200,000 and boosts hopes of clinching a record tenth title.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after edging Botswana 1–0 in a determined performance on Thursday night in Casablanca. The narrow but crucial win marked their second straight victory in the tournament, ensuring they topped Group A with one game to spare.
The win also guaranteed the nine-time African champions a minimum payout of $200,000 (over ₦300 million) as part of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) newly introduced prize distribution scheme for WAFCON. The revised reward structure is part of CAF’s broader efforts to bolster women’s football across the continent.
According to the new prize model, all eight quarter-finalists are guaranteed $200,000 each. The financial incentives increase significantly as teams advance: semi-finalists will earn an additional $150,000, runners-up will take home $500,000, and the tournament winner will receive a record $1 million. Even the teams finishing at the bottom of their groups will earn $125,000, a notable improvement from previous editions.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has repeatedly stressed the importance of supporting women’s football through financial commitment and structural reforms. The current WAFCON prize reform aims to enhance player welfare, improve national team infrastructure, and encourage sustained investment in the women’s game.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are already beginning to reap the benefits. With their place in the quarter-finals confirmed, the team can now turn its attention to their final group-stage fixture against Algeria on Sunday. A victory in that match would preserve their unbeaten record and further build momentum as they push toward their 10th WAFCON title.
Striker Chinwendu Ihezuo was the hero of the night, coming off the bench to score a late goal that broke the deadlock against a resilient Botswana side. The strike not only sealed three points but also demonstrated Nigeria’s strength in depth and tactical resilience under head coach Randy Waldrum.
The Super Falcons’ performance so far reinforces their standing as Africa’s most successful women’s national team. With a strong squad and significant financial motivation on the table, the team will be eyeing the grand prize of $1 million as they chase another WAFCON title.
