Reigning champions Senegal kicked off their title defence at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a tense Group D opener at the Amaan Stadium.
A 75th-minute strike by Christian Gomis proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter between two West African heavyweights, both of whom created opportunities but lacked sharpness in front of goal.
Exclusively featuring players from domestic leagues, the CHAN tournament opened with the expected intensity as two of Africa’s football powerhouses clashed on Tuesday.
Senegal, who lifted the 2022 title in Algeria, started confidently but had to withstand Nigeria’s aggressive opening, with the Super Eagles pressing high and trying to dominate midfield through Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu — both of whom received early yellow cards for robust challenges.
The first half was a cagey affair, marked by physical battles and limited chances.
Nigeria’s Sikiru Alimi tested Senegalese goalkeeper Marc Diouf with a powerful effort midway through the half, while Senegal’s Daouda Ba and Moctar Koïté also tried their luck from distance.
The deadlock was broken in the 75th minute when substitute Koïté launched a rapid counter-attack, sprinting down the right wing before delivering a precise low cross into the box. Gomis arrived unmarked and calmly slotted home with his left foot — a goal that showcased Senegal’s precision and composure in key moments.
In response, Nigeria made attacking substitutions, bringing on Vincent Temitope and Godwin Obaje in search of an equaliser.
Temitope nearly levelled with a late effort that drifted just wide, while Alimi and Jabbar Malik posed threats from set pieces.
However, Senegal’s defence, marshalled by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, stood firm under pressure. The second half saw multiple substitutions and injury stoppages, further ramping up the drama in the closing minutes.
Senegal’s tactical adjustments, including the introductions of Bonaventure Fonseca and Pape Badji, helped manage the tempo and disrupt Nigeria’s rhythm.
Nigeria’s frustration peaked in stoppage time when Shola Adelani was penalised for a handball, and the Super Eagles couldn’t find the breakthrough they desperately needed.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of taking each game one at a time, with matches against Congo and Sudan still to come.
The result extended Senegal’s unbeaten run against West African opposition at CHAN and marked their sixth 1-0 victory in the tournament’s history, underscoring their tactical discipline and defensive strength.
Senegal now top Group D, while Nigeria will look to bounce back in their next fixture. Judging by this hard-fought opener, the road to the quarter-finals promises to be fiercely competitive.
