The fallout from Sudan’s stunning 4–0 victory over Nigeria at CHAN PAMOJA 2024 has triggered a wave of criticism, none sharper than that from Ben Ahenda, veteran sports journalist with Standard Group–Kenya, who has covered international football for over 40 years.
Speaking to Sports247 in Zanzibar after the match, Ahenda delivered a frank assessment of Nigeria’s football system:
“This is a disappointing outing for Nigeria. In the past 10 years, Nigeria has not been doing well in Africa with their local league. The CHAN tournament is meant to showcase young African talent—some countries came here with under-19 players. I’ve seen Cameroon field a 17-year-old. But watching this Nigeria side is disappointing.”
He pointed to the country’s long-standing struggles at club level:
“What has the Nigerian League achieved in the African Champions League in the past 10 years? Since Enyimba’s back-to-back titles, how many times has Nigeria really competed at the top level?”
Enyimba’s 2003 and 2004 CAF Champions League triumphs remain the only ones by a Nigerian club, and in the last decade, Nigerian representatives have struggled even to reach the semi-finals.
Ahenda contrasted Nigeria’s disjointed approach with Sudan’s unity, noting:
“This Sudanese side is basically their national team—the same team that knocked Ghana out of the AFCON qualification. They were picked from just two clubs and have played more matches together over the last two years than most teams in this tournament. Their cohesion showed in every department.”
He also delivered a stinging observation about player development in Nigeria:
“I have been seeing very quality players from the Nigerian League in the past four years in different international competitions in Europe. When I ask which players these are, I am told they play in the NLO—the third tier. So if CHAN is to showcase the best of African players, then these NLO players, who have been winning abroad, should be in the Nigerian top league.”
For Ahenda, this disconnect between talent at grassroots level and opportunities in the NPFL is at the heart of Nigeria’s decline.
Sudan’s emphatic victory leaves them on four points at the top of Group D alongside Senegal, while Nigeria exit CHAN 2024 with a game to spare.
Sports247 is reporting live from Zanzibar, with coverage made possible through the invaluable support of Showtime, ensuring Nigerian fans get the full picture of the Super Eagles B’s journey—successes, struggles, and hard truths alike.
