Defending champions, Senegal, started their title defence on the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a slender 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a fiercely contested Group D opener at Amaan Stadium on Tuesday.
Christian Gomis’ second-half strike was sufficient to separate the West African giants in a match the place each side created probabilities however struggled with compocertain within the ultimate third.
The event, completely for players competing of their home leagues, opened with all of the depth anticipated from two of Africa’s most storied footballing nations.
Senegal, winners of the 2022 version in Algeria, began with composure however needed to navigate Nigeria’s early aggression.
The Tremendous Eagles, returning to the CHAN finals for the primary time since 2018, seemed to press excessive and management midfield by way of Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu, each of whom picked up early bookings as tackles flew in.
Regardless of a tense first half stuffed with heavy challenges and restricted goalmouth motion, each side hinted at their assaulting intent.
Sikiru Alimi compelled a save from Senegalese keeper Marc Diouf halfway by way of the opening half, whereas Daouda Ba and Moctar Koïté examined Nigeria’s backline from vary.
The breakthrough got here within the seventy fifth minute following a swift Senegalese counter-attack. Substitute Moctar Koïté darted down the appropriate flank and delivered a pinpoint move into the field, the place Gomis arrived unmarked to calmly slot residence along with his left foot.
It was a purpose born of precision and timing, and it despatched the defending champions into raptures.
Nigeria responded with urgency, introducing Vincent Temitope and Godwin Obaje to bolster their assault. Temitope got here shut with a late shot that sailed simply broad, whereas Alimi and Jabbar Malik threatened from set items.
However Senegal’s backline, led by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, held agency underneath rising stress.
The match noticed seven substitutions and a number of harm stoppages within the second half, including to the stress because the clock ticked down.
Senegal’s tactical modifications, together with the introduction of Bonaventure Fonseca and Pape Badji, helped sluggish Nigeria’s momentum and see out the end result.
—CAF
