Nigeria could become the only team to finish the group phase of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 100 per cent record but will need to beat Algeria on Sunday in their last first-round fixture in order to do so.
The Super Falcons are also, so far, the only team mathematically sure of a place in the quarterfinals with a top-place finish already guaranteed after they beat Tunisia and Botswana in their opening two Group B games.
They kept clean sheets in both encounters.
They are heavily fancied to add Algeria to their list of conquests and set up a quarterfinal clash in Casablanca on Friday against the runner-up in Group A, that could be hosts Morocco.
If Algeria slip against Nigeria, then the route is open for Tunisia to usurp them from second place but only if they can record a handsome win over Botswana in their Sunday clash
However, the southern African side lost narrowly to both Algeria and Nigeria in their opening two games but could yet advance to the next phase if they beat Tunisia.
The last two Group B clashes are both being played in Casablanca but at the same time.
Algeria and Nigeria are at the Larbi Zaoili Stadium while Botswana and Tunisia clash at the Pere Jego Stadium (kick-off 8pm, live on SuperSport).
Nigeria coach Justine Madugu confirmed he would rotate his team against Algeria because they had a tough tussle with Botswana earlier in the week.
“Every game has its own strategy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” he said on Saturday.
“That’s why we make changes when things aren’t working. Not every player will have a good day, but we got better in the second half and converted one of our chances.”
Botswana felt they should have got more out of their game against Nigeria, where they gave up a last-gasp goal, and coach Alex Malete will be playing on their disappointment to get the best performance out of his charges for their final group game.
“There’s still an opportunity for us to reach the quarterfinals,” he said. “I remain positive. The performance (against Nigeria) is something we can build on. We are now forced to win and we will win,” he predicted.