Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles are set for a defining moment in their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign as they prepare to face Sudan in Zanzibar City on Tuesday evening.
Following a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal in their opening Group D match, Eric Chelle’s men know that anything short of victory will all but end their journey in this year’s tournament.
“We played well against Senegal, but one mistake cost us,” Chelle reflected ahead of the fixture. “Now we must show character, get the result, and give Nigerians something to cheer about.”
Sudan, coached by Ghanaian tactician James Kwesi Appiah, began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Congo, giving them a slight advantage heading into the game. With two third-place finishes in their CHAN history, the Falcons of Jediane will look to use their experience to frustrate Nigeria.
Nigeria’s CHAN pedigree is modest, but their finest moment came in 2018 when they reached the final, beating Sudan 1-0 in the semi-final courtesy of Gabriel Okechukwu’s strike. This will be only the second meeting between the sides at the tournament.
Chelle’s squad faces selection dilemmas. First-choice goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani is racing to be fit after missing the opener, while teenager Leonard Ngenge could retain his place in defence despite sharing some responsibility for Senegal’s winner. In attack, misfiring striker Sikiru Alimi may be replaced by Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf, with Anthony Ijoma likely to keep his spot.
“Every match at this stage is a final,” said team captain Adewale Abdulrafiu. “We owe it to ourselves and our supporters to fight until the last whistle.”
Kick-off at the Amaan Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm Nigerian time. With their hopes hanging in the balance, the Super Eagles B will need precision, discipline, and early goals to outmanoeuvre Sudan’s compact 4-5-1 setup.
