Nigeria’s Home-based Super Eagles Bow Out Of CHAN 2024 With Pride

Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles ended their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign on a high with a 2-0 victory over Congo in Dar es Salaam.

After back-to-back losses to Sudan and Senegal, Eric Chelle’s side went into their final Group D clash already eliminated. Still, the Home-based Super Eagles produced their most convincing performance of the competition, with second-half goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi ensuring they left Tanzania with some pride.

The intent was clear from the onset. Inside the first minute, Yusuf found space after a swift break but fired over the bar. Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s blistering runs on the wing kept Congo’s defence unsettled, while Junior Nduka came close with a powerful header that Mouanda Makoso clawed away.

Congo looked nervous for most of the match. Aside from Gosim Elenga’s speculative strike that flew wide, they rarely troubled the Nigerian backline.

Nigeria’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 56th minute. Abdulrafiu once again escaped down the right and delivered a dangerous cross. Alimi rose above his marker, and when the ball broke loose, Yusuf pounced to steer it into the bottom corner, marking Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament.

The strike injected belief into Chelle’s men. They controlled possession with more purpose, while Congo chased the game desperately. Their frustrations peaked in stoppage time when Charles Atipo’s reckless challenge on Nduka was upgraded to a red card after a VAR check.

From the ensuing free-kick, Sodiq Ismail whipped in a precise delivery, and Alimi rose highest to nod home Nigeria’s second in the 93rd minute, sealing the victory.

The win moved Nigeria to third in Group D with three points, behind Sudan and Senegal, who both advanced after playing out a goalless draw in the other fixture. Congo finished bottom without a point.

Though eliminated, the result offered Chelle signs of progress after a sluggish start. The squad, drawn entirely from NPFL clubs, now returns to domestic duty as the 2025/2026 season begins on Friday.

Chelle will turn his attention back to the senior Super Eagles, who face Rwanda and South Africa in World Cup qualifiers in September.