Nigeria restored pride with a 2–0 win over Congo in their final Group D clash at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship CHAN, PAMOJA 2024 in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.
However, the victory came too late to save their campaign as Sudan and Senegal advanced to the quarter-finals.
Anas Yusuf broke Nigeria’s goal drought with a 56th-minute strike before Sikiru Alimi’s stoppage-time header sealed the win.
The result lifted the Super Eagles to three points, but they fell just short of qualification after Sudan and Senegal played out a 0-0 draw in Kampala to finish joint top on five points each.
For Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, the triumph was bittersweet after a turbulent group stage in which his side conceded five goals without reply in their opening two games.
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Before kickoff, Chelle admitted: “Mistakes have haunted us.”
On Tuesday, his players responded with their most disciplined display of the tournament.
Congo, who came into the match needing victory to keep their hopes alive, were undone by missed chances and late indiscipline.
Their coach Barthelemy Ngatsono had declared on the eve of the game that “there is no alternative to victory,” but his side spurned key opportunities in the first half before Charles Atipo was sent off in stoppage time following a VAR review.
Moments later, Alimi rose to head home Nigeria’s second and confirm Congo’s exit.
The Super Eagles celebrated their first win, yet the sense of frustration lingered.
With eight key players unavailable due to overseas transfers, Chelle was forced to rebuild on the fly — and the early defeats proved costly.
Sudan topped Group D on goal difference (+4), ahead of Senegal (+1). Nigeria’s win lifted them to third on three points, while Congo finished bottom with two.
Nigeria head home with lessons to learn, but also with dignity restored, CAF Online noted.
For Sudan and Senegal, meanwhile, the journey continues — both carrying unbeaten records and the defensive resilience to test any opponent in the knockout rounds.
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