Defending champions Senegal kicked off their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a tense Group D encounter at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday.
The only goal of the match came in the 75th minute through Christian Gomis, who calmly slotted home a low cross from Moctar Koïté to secure three points for the Teranga Lions. The win extends Senegal’s dominance in CHAN matches against West African opponents and solidifies their reputation for defensive solidity.
Both teams showed early signs of aggression and intent, with Nigeria’s midfield duo Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu earning early bookings as they sought to stamp their authority on the match. The Super Eagles B, making their return to CHAN for the first time since 2018, enjoyed a bright start but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Senegal grew into the game, keeping their composure under pressure and defending with discipline. Though chances were limited in the first half, Nigeria’s Sikiru Alimi forced a smart save from goalkeeper Marc Diouf, while Senegal’s Koïté and Daouda Ba tested Nigeria’s backline from distance.
The second half continued in similar fashion—physical and tactical—until the breakthrough. Koïté’s surge down the right flank and pinpoint cross found Gomis, who finished with precision to give Senegal a deserved lead.
Nigeria responded by introducing attackers Vincent Temitope and Godwin Obaje in search of an equaliser. Temitope came close in the final moments, dragging his shot narrowly wide, while Jabbar Malik and Alimi also threatened from set-pieces.
Senegal’s centre-backs Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse held firm, repelling late Nigerian pressure and maintaining their team’s sixth 1-0 win in CHAN history—a testament to their defensive discipline.
Nigeria’s hopes of salvaging a point were dashed further with time-consuming substitutions and injury stoppages disrupting their rhythm. Shola Adelani’s handball in stoppage time summed up the Super Eagles’ frustration.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria’s head coach Éric Chelle remained upbeat, urging his team to take the tournament “one game at a time,” with crucial matches against Sudan and Congo still to come.
Senegal’s head coach Souleymane Diallo, who had played down the pressure of defending their title before kick-off, praised his team’s professionalism and work ethic as they now sit top of Group D.
Nigeria will face Sudan in their next match on Tuesday, also at the Amaan Stadium, in what is now a must-win clash to keep their knockout hopes alive.
