The stage is set for a thrilling round of Group D fixtures at the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship with four formidable teams, Nigeria, Senegal, Congo, and Sudan, battling for spots in the knockout phase.
Tuesday evening will witness a fierce clash between Nigeria and defending champions Senegal, while Congo go head-to-head with Sudan in the group’s other fixture.
The tournament, which kicked off over the weekend, features 19 teams and is being hosted across five stadiums in four cities spanning three East African nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Only the top two teams from each group will move on to the quarterfinals, making every point crucial in Group D.
Nigeria Seeking Redemption on Return
Returning to the CHAN stage for the first time since 2018, Nigeria’s Super Eagles B are eager to make a statement.
Their past performances include a third-place finish in 2014, a group-stage exit in 2016, and a runners-up spot in 2018, where they fell 4-0 to Morocco in the final.
Although Nigeria has historically struggled in opening games, failing to win their first matches in 2014 and 2018 yet advancing to the semifinals, their sole Matchday One win came in 2016 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Niger, ironically followed by a group-stage exit.
Statistically, Nigeria boasts an average of 1.67 goals per game and five clean sheets, three in 2018 and two in 2014.
They booked their spot in CHAN 2024 via the WAFU Zone B playoff, drawing 0-0 away to Ghana before winning 3-1 at home.
Senegal Enter as Defending Champions
Senegal head into this year’s tournament as title holders, having clinched the 2022 trophy after edging Algeria in a tense final decided by penalties.
Unbeaten in regulation time against fellow West African opponents in CHAN history, Senegal has claimed two wins and two draws in such ties, conceding just once, in the 2009 third-place match against Ghana.
Their previous CHAN encounters with West African rivals include defeats to Mali and Guinea, a draw against Ghana (eventually losing on penalties), and a 4-1 thrashing of Niger.
The Lions of Teranga qualified for this edition via WAFU Zone A, with a 1-1 away draw to Liberia and a convincing 3-0 home win, sealing a 4-1 aggregate triumph.
Congo’s Consistent CHAN Presence
This marks Congo’s fifth CHAN appearance and fourth consecutive outing. They’ve had mixed fortunes in the past, bowing out in the group stage in 2014 and 2022, but reaching the quarterfinals in 2018 and 2020, both times losing on penalties.
Interestingly, every one of their four previous opening matches ended 1-0, with victories over Cameroon in 2018, and losses to Ghana (2014), DR Congo (2020), and Cameroon again (2022).
Their biggest CHAN win came in 2018 with a 2-0 result against Burkina Faso.
Sudan Eyes Another Deep Run
Sudan are also no strangers to CHAN success, having reached the semifinals twice in their previous three appearances (2011 and 2018), and finishing third on home soil in 2011. However, they crashed out in the group stage in 2022.
They secured their spot in the 2024 edition through the CECAFA Zone, overcoming Tanzania 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate scoreline (1-0 home win, 1-0 away loss).