Nigeria end CHAN 2024 with victory over Congo

August 19, 2025 by David Bolarinwa

Nigeria ended their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign on a winning note, defeating Congo 2–0 in their final Group D fixture at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, on Tuesday.

Anas Yusuf opened the scoring in the 56th minute to end the Super Eagles’ goal drought, before Sikiru Alimi’s stoppage-time header wrapped up the victory.

Despite the result, the win came too late to secure progression, as Sudan and Senegal played out a goalless draw in Kampala to finish joint top of the group with five points apiece, leaving Nigeria in third place with three.

For head coach Eric Chelle, the victory was bittersweet after a difficult campaign that saw his side concede five goals without reply in their opening two matches.

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Before kickoff, Chelle admitted: “Mistakes have haunted us.”

On Tuesday, the Super Eagles finally produced their most composed performance of the 2024 African Nations Championship, sealing a 2–0 win over Congo in Dar es Salaam.

Congo, who needed victory to reach the quarter-finals, were left to rue missed chances and costly indiscipline. Head coach Barthelemy Ngatsono had boldly declared on the eve of the match that “there is no alternative to victory,” but his side squandered first-half opportunities before Charles Atipo was dismissed in stoppage time after a VAR review. Moments later, Sikiru Alimi rose highest to nod home Nigeria’s second goal, ending Congo’s campaign.

For Nigeria, it was a bittersweet conclusion. Eric Chelle’s men celebrated their first win of the tournament, but earlier defeats had already sealed their fate. With eight regulars missing due to overseas transfers, the coach was forced into a rebuild that proved too costly.

Sudan finished top of Group D on goal difference (+4), edging out Senegal (+1) as both advanced unbeaten. Nigeria’s victory left them third on three points, while Congo placed bottom with two.

For Sudan and Senegal, however, the knockout rounds await, with both sides looking equipped to test any challenger.