Nigeria’s hopes at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a crushing end on Tuesday after a humbling 4-0 defeat to Sudan in their Group D clash. Head coach Eric Chelle admitted his side had only themselves to blame, pointing to a string of costly mistakes that handed the game — and ultimately Nigeria’s tournament ambitions — to their opponents.
The result, played out in front of an expectant crowd, was one of Nigeria’s heaviest losses in CHAN history. It ensured their elimination after back-to-back defeats, following a 1-0 opening match loss to Senegal.
How Sudan Ran Riot
The contest began with Nigeria under pressure from the opening whistle. Sudan’s high pressing game forced errors, and in the 19th minute, the breakthrough came in unfortunate fashion for the Super Eagles B. Leonard Ngenge, attempting to clear a dangerous cross, diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper to hand Sudan a 1-0 lead.
Nigeria’s defensive fragility was exposed again before halftime. Sudanese midfielder Walieldin Khedr capitalised on a lapse in concentration, finding space in the box to slot home the second goal. By this point, Sudan’s coach, Ghanaian tactician Kwesi Appiah, had his team firmly in control of the midfield battle, dictating play and disrupting Nigeria’s rhythm.
The second half brought no respite for Chelle’s men. Forward Abdel Raouf, who had been a constant menace throughout, struck twice in quick succession. His first came from a well-worked counterattack, and his second, a composed finish after Nigeria’s defence failed to deal with a simple through ball, sealed the emphatic 4-0 victory.
Chelle’s Candid Admission
Speaking to reporters after the match, Chelle did not shy away from taking responsibility for the performance.
“We did a lot of mistakes and we gave up the game in the second half,” he said. “Four goals, four mistakes. We did a lot of mistakes in these two games [Senegal and Sudan].”
The coach’s remarks reflected his frustration at the avoidable nature of the goals conceded. He acknowledged that individual lapses and collective disorganisation had undone the team’s efforts, both against Sudan and in the earlier loss to Senegal.
Sudan’s Tactical Masterclass
Sudan’s victory was as much about their discipline and strategy as it was about Nigeria’s shortcomings. Kwesi Appiah’s men combined physical intensity with swift transitions, catching Nigeria off-guard repeatedly.
Appiah, who previously led Ghana’s Black Stars to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has been credited with instilling confidence and tactical awareness in his Sudanese side. While he admitted he did not expect a 4-0 scoreline, he praised his players for their execution.
“I knew we could beat Nigeria, but not by that scoreline,” Appiah said in his own post-match briefing. “The boys played with heart, discipline, and focus. It was a performance that made me proud as a coach.”
Nigeria’s Campaign in Perspective
For the Super Eagles B team, the CHAN 2024 journey will go down as a major disappointment. Entering the competition with hopes of reaching the knockout stages, they instead leave without a single point or goal scored.
The CHAN tournament, reserved exclusively for players active in their home countries’ leagues, has long been seen as a crucial platform for showcasing local talent and building depth for national teams. Nigeria’s early exit has reignited debates about the strength of its domestic league and the development pathways for home-based players.
Analysts have pointed to a lack of cohesion, insufficient preparation time, and an inability to adapt tactically as key factors in Nigeria’s struggles this year.
Defensive Errors Prove Costly
In both group matches, defensive lapses proved decisive. Against Senegal, a single defensive misstep led to the only goal of the game. Against Sudan, the errors multiplied, resulting in four goals conceded from situations that could have been avoided with better communication and organisation.
Chelle admitted that the team had been punished for failing to learn from earlier mistakes.
“When you make the same errors in two games, you are inviting trouble,” he said. “At this level, you cannot afford to switch off, even for a moment.”
Group D Outlook
With the win, Sudan now sit at the top of Group D with four points from two matches, putting them in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals. They will face Senegal in their final group game, a match that will determine the group’s final standings and qualification spots.
Senegal, who edged Nigeria in their opener, will also be confident of progressing. For both sides, the clash promises to be a battle of tactical wits between Appiah and Senegal’s technical team.
Rebuilding for the Future
Nigeria’s CHAN exit will force a period of reflection for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the coaching staff. Calls for better scouting, more intensive training camps, and improved domestic league competitiveness are likely to grow louder in the aftermath of this campaign.
While Chelle’s future with the team remains uncertain, his acknowledgment of the team’s failings could be the first step toward meaningful changes.
“We have to go back and analyse everything,” he said. “The players worked hard, but hard work alone is not enough without concentration and discipline. If we want to compete with the best, we must improve in every department.”
Fans’ Reactions
Back home, Nigerian fans expressed frustration on social media, with many lamenting the lack of spark and determination shown by the Super Eagles B side. Some also questioned player selection and tactical decisions, while others called for a broader investment in grassroots football to strengthen the talent pool.
Sudanese supporters, on the other hand, celebrated the historic win, hailing Appiah’s leadership and the team’s newfound attacking prowess.
Looking Ahead
For Sudan, the victory over Nigeria is a significant morale boost as they prepare for their decisive fixture against Senegal. For Nigeria, the focus will now shift to rebuilding and ensuring that future CHAN campaigns produce better results.
The 4-0 loss will serve as a reminder that at the continental level, even the smallest mistakes can have devastating consequences. Chelle’s post-match words summed up the lesson succinctly: in tournament football, discipline and precision are non-negotiable.
If you’d like, I can merge this story with the Kwesi Appiah reaction piece I did earlier, so Africa Live News can publish a single, detailed feature covering both managers’ perspectives in one cohesive 900-word report. That way, it’ll have more depth and SEO reach. Would you like me to do that next?
