 2024 with a morale-boosting 2–0 win){kind=link}
Nigeria’s Super Eagles B bowed out of the ongoing TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a morale-boosting 2–0 win over Congo in Dar es Salaam, but it was not enough to save their campaign as Sudan and Senegal advanced from Group D.
Goals from NPFL 2024/25 top scorer Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi gave the Super Eagles their first points of the tournament, restoring pride after back-to-back defeats had already condemned them to an early elimination.
Congo, who also needed victory to stay alive, were left devastated, finishing bottom of the group.
Meanwhile in Kampala, Sudan and Senegal played out a tense 0–0 draw, a result that secured progression for both nations on five points.
Sudan topped the group on goal difference, with Nigeria’s win lifting them to three points, one short of qualification.
A Match of Dignity and Survival
Pre-match narratives revolved around Congo’s desperation for a win and Nigeria’s bid for redemption after a poor start.
Congo coach Barthelemy Ngatsono insisted “there is no alternative to victory,” while Nigeria boss Eric Chelle urged his men to finally break their scoring drought after conceding five goals without reply in their opening two matches.
The first half was a cagey, physical contest. Congo came closest through Japhet Mankou and Dechan Moussavou, who both wasted headed chances, while Nigeria’s Olamilekan Adedayo forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Ulrich Samba.
Controversy struck before the break when Nigerian defender Steven Manyo had a yellow card upgraded to red by VAR for a reckless challenge — only for the referee to reverse the decision after consultation, leaving both benches furious.
Yusuf Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute. A towering header from Alimi teed up Yusuf, who pounced to fire in Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament.
Relief swept through the Nigerian camp, whose blunt attack had been under heavy criticism, Congo, rattled, failed to respond with conviction, as Wilfrid Nkaya and Carly Ekongo sent wayward efforts from distance that barely troubled keeper Ebenezer Harcourt who was making his debut for the Super Eagles.
Alimi’s Late Header Seals It
Deep into stoppage time, the match swung decisively when Congo’s Charles Atipo was sent off after VAR upgraded his yellow card to a straight red for a reckless foul.
From the resulting free-kick, substitute Sodiq Ismail delivered a perfect cross that Alimi met with a thumping header in the 93rd minute to double Nigeria’s lead and secure the points.
Group D Shake-Up
While Nigeria celebrated their first victory, the simultaneous draw in Kampala sealed their elimination.
Sudan finished top with five points and a +4 goal difference, Senegal also advanced on five points but with a +1 goal difference. Nigeria’s three points left them third, while Congo (2 points) propped up the table.
Pride Restored, Lessons Remain
Coach Chelle admitted before the match that “mistakes have haunted us.” The win brought relief but also highlighted missed opportunities in earlier games.
A squad weakened by the absence of eight key players, who were unavailable due to overseas transfers, lacked cohesion in the early stages and never fully recovered.
Congo, meanwhile, will lament their wastefulness, having scored just two goals in three group games.
Sudan and Senegal now march into the quarter-finals, while Nigeria head home with pride partially restored but with urgent questions about depth, preparation and execution at this level.
Final Group D Standings
Sudan – 5 pts (+4 GD), Senegal – 5 pts (+1 GD) Nigeria – 3 pts (–3 GD) and Congo – 2 pts (–2 GD)