Nigeria bowed out of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a morale-boosting 2–0 win over Congo in Dar es Salaam, however it was not sufficient to rescue their marketing campaign as Sudan and Senegal progressed from Group D.
The end result, sealed by targets from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi, restored some pleasure for the Tremendous Eagles after back-to-back defeats had condemned them to an early elimination.
Congo, who wanted a win to maintain their very own hopes alive, have been left devastated, ending backside of the pool.
In the meantime, within the simultaneous fixture in Kampala, Sudan and Senegal drew 0-0, a end result that noticed each nations attain the quarter-finals with 5 factors every.
Sudan topped the group on aim distinction, whereas Nigeria’s victory lifted them to a few factors, one wanting qualification.
Pre-match narratives have been dominated by Congo’s desperation and Nigeria’s want for redemption. Congo coach Barthelemy Ngatsono had insisted “there isn’t a different to victory,” whereas Nigeria boss Eric Chelle sought a primary aim of the marketing campaign after his aspect conceded 5 with out reply of their opening two outings.
The primary half mirrored the stakes: a cagey, bodily affair with few clear possibilities.
Congo went closest when Japhet Mankou and Dechan Moussavou each spurned headed alternatives, whereas Nigeria’s Olamilekan Adedayo examined goalkeeper Ulrich Samba from shut vary.
Tempers flared earlier than the break when Nigerian defender Steven Manyo noticed his yellow card upgraded to purple by VAR for a reckless problem, just for confusion to reign and the referee in the end permitting play to proceed after session.
Goalless at half-time, each groups knew the second half would outline their destiny.
The breakthrough got here within the 56th minute. A swift Nigerian transfer noticed Alimi rise highest to nod down into the trail of Anas Yusuf, who completed clinically from shut vary to register Nigeria’s first aim of the match.
Aid was palpable for Chelle’s males, who had carried the burden of criticism for blunt attacking shows in earlier matches.
Congo, in contrast, regarded shaken. Regardless of substitutions geared toward including power, their assaults have been blunted by poor decision-making and resilient Nigerian defending.
Wilfrid Nkaya and Carly Ekongo each tried from distance, however neither effort troubled Nigeria keeper Victor Sochima.
The competition exploded into life in stoppage time. Congo’s Charles Atipo was initially booked for a rash foul however, after VAR evaluation, his punishment was upgraded to a straight purple, leaving the Purple Devils to complete with 10 males.
From the following free-kick, substitute Sodiq Ismail delivered a pin-point cross that Alimi powered residence with a header to double Nigeria’s lead within the 93rd minute.
That strike ended any lingering Congolese hopes and allowed Nigeria to rejoice a hard-fought first win of the match.
Even because the Tremendous Eagles secured victory, their destiny trusted occasions within the group’s different recreation.
A tense stalemate between Sudan and Senegal meant either side completed stage on 5 factors, however Sudan claimed high spot due to their superior aim distinction (+4 to Senegal’s +1).
Nigeria’s three factors consigned them to 3rd, forward of Congo who exited backside with two. For Chelle’s males, the failure to gather factors earlier proved pricey.
Coach Chelle admitted earlier than the sport that “errors have haunted us,” and whereas the win provided respite, it additionally underlined what may have been.
A aspect stripped of eight key gamers earlier than the match as a result of abroad transfers was all the time underneath stress to rebuild on the fly.
Congo, in the meantime, will rue their missed alternatives throughout the group stage. Simply two targets scored in three matches inform the story of a aspect that struggled to show endeavour into innovative.
Sudan and Senegal now march on to the quarter-finals, the place their defensive self-discipline shall be sternly examined.
Nigeria head residence with pleasure partially restored, but in addition with pressing questions on depth, preparation, and execution at this stage.-CAF
