Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles suffered a humiliating group-stage exit from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a 4-0 thrashing by Sudan on Tuesday, August 12, at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The match began with a glimmer of hope for Nigeria as they thought they had taken an early lead, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Minutes later, disaster struck when defender Lurwanu Ngenge put the ball into his own net in the 25th minute.
Just before half-time, Walieldin Khidir converted from the spot after another defensive lapse by Ngenge, doubling Sudan’s advantage.
Coach Éric Chelle made tactical changes at the break, but the second half brought no respite.
Abdel Raouf Yagoub netted twice after the restart, sealing Sudan’s dominant and disciplined performance.
The defeat leaves Nigeria bottom of Group D with no points and no goals from two matches, following their earlier 1-0 loss to Senegal. It is also their heaviest CHAN defeat since the 4-0 loss to Morocco in the 2018 final.
For Sudan, led by former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, the result puts them on the brink of a quarter-final spot.
With Senegal drawing earlier in the day, Sudan now top the group on goal difference with four points (W1 D1 L0, GF 5 GA 1). Senegal sit second, Congo third on two points, and Nigeria last — mathematically eliminated, as a final-day win would only take them to three points.
Sudan will face Senegal in a top-of-the-table clash, where even a draw could see them through depending on Congo’s result.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will meet Congo with nothing but pride to play for and serious questions to answer over their structure, squad selection, and tournament execution.
