Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale has highlighted the team’s focus on keeping things tight at the back as Nigeria gets ready to face Botswana in their second Group B match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Ohale, who has been a rock in defence for the Falcons, spoke ahead of the crucial clash set for Thursday evening at the Labri Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. The experienced 31-year-old said maintaining their strong defensive record is key to pushing deeper into the tournament.

“It was a good step for us and we want to keep those high standards,” Ohale told Ademola Victor TV. “We want to make sure we don’t concede goals and keep the record going forward.”

The Super Falcons started their WAFCON campaign on a bright note with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia, a match where Ohale and her teammates barely gave the opponents a sniff at goal. They have now let in just one goal in their last three outings, underlining their defensive strength.

Nigeria will hope to continue that run when they take on Botswana’s Mares at 8 pm Nigerian time. A win would take the Super Falcons closer to securing a spot in the quarter-finals, and another clean sheet would be a big boost for their confidence and title ambitions.