Nigeria’s hopes at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) ended in bitter disappointment after a crushing 4–0 defeat to Sudan in Zanzibar, a result that confirmed their early exit from the tournament with one game still to play.
The Super Eagles, bottom of Group D with no points and no goals from their opening two matches, have now endured their worst-ever CHAN campaign. The loss also equals their heaviest defeat in the competition’s history, matching a similar loss to Morocco in the 2018 final.
Sudan, who have battled immense preparation challenges due to the ongoing crisis in their country, showed remarkable discipline and determination from the first whistle.
Nigeria began the match with urgency and briefly threatened when Anthony Ijoma had a goal ruled out for offside in the 22nd minute. Just three minutes later, however, Abdel Raouf Yagoub’s effort struck the post and deflected into the net off defender Leonard Ngenge, handing Sudan the lead.
Things worsened for Nigeria in the 43rd minute when Ngenge conceded a penalty, converted emphatically by Sudan captain Walieldin Khdir to double the advantage before half-time.
In the second half, Sudan’s dominance was complete. Yagoub struck again in the 55th minute with a composed finish into the bottom corner after Musa Hussien’s relentless pressing created chaos in the Nigerian box.
Seven minutes later, Yagoub sealed his brace with a precise shot into the top corner, punishing more defensive lapses.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, visibly frustrated, labelled it “the worst game” he has overseen in his coaching career. “We have lost all ambition. The CHAN is over for us. We have a third match to play for our honor and respect,” he said.
Chelle pointed to the absence of several key domestic players, many of whom left for overseas clubs, as a significant factor in the team’s collapse. He warned that a similar performance against Congo in their final match could lead to another heavy defeat.
For Sudan, this was a landmark result, their biggest-ever win in CHAN history, and it propelled them to the top of Group D on four points, level with Senegal but ahead on goal difference.
The Sudanese Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, congratulated the players, coaches, and staff, calling the victory “an outstanding performance” and a source of pride and hope for the nation.
The final round of Group D fixtures promises drama at the top. Sudan will face Senegal in a decisive battle for first place, while Congo, on two points, remain in contention depending on results.
For Nigeria, however, the match against Congo will be played only for pride, ending a campaign marked by missteps in structure, selection, and execution.
From early promise to complete collapse, Nigeria’s CHAN 2024 journey has been short and painful, and the inquest into what went wrong has already begun.
