The home-based Super Eagles finally found their scoring boots but it came too late to save their CHAN 2024 campaign, as they wrapped up the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Congo on Tuesday evening in Dar es Salaam, Sports247 reports.
Having already crashed out of the competition after defeats to Sudan and Senegal, Eric Chelle’s men were only playing for pride against the Congolese Red Devils, who still had hopes of progressing. But it was Nigeria who had the final say, thanks to second-half goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi.
Nigeria started the match with some fresh faces, as Chelle handed tournament debuts to Alex Oyowah and Anas Yusuf. The Eagles dominated possession early on but struggled to hit the target. Oyowah was lively in midfield, while Alimi and Junior Nduka both went close, only to be denied by wayward finishing.
The breakthrough eventually came in the 56th minute when Alimi rose highest to knock down Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s cross, setting up Yusuf to slot home calmly for Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament. That strike also ended the Eagles’ 400-minute goal drought in the CHAN, stretching back to 2018.
With Congo pushing for an equaliser, Nigeria defended resolutely and struck again in added time. Alimi, who had worked tirelessly all evening, finally got his reward, lashing home in the 90+3 minute to seal a deserved 2-0 win.
The result meant Nigeria finished third in Group D with three points, ahead of Congo who also crashed out. Meanwhile, Sudan and Senegal progressed after playing out a goalless draw in the group’s other fixture.
Man of the Match went to debutant Alex Oyowah, whose composure in midfield gave Nigeria the edge throughout the encounter.
For Chelle and his NPFL stars, the focus now shifts back home as the 2025/26 league season kicks off this weekend. Attention will then quickly turn to September’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, where Nigeria must show more consistency.
