SENEGAL EDGE NIGERIA 1–0 IN CHAN 2024 OPENER TO BEGIN TITLE DEFENSE STRONG
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Defending champions Senegal kicked off their title defence at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Nigeria in a tense Group D encounter at the Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar.
The clash between two of Africa’s footballing giants lived up to expectations, with high intensity, physical duels, and moments of drama from start to finish.
The decisive moment came in the 75th minute when Moctar Koïté launched a blistering counter-attack down the right wing and delivered a precise low cross into the box. Christian Gomis timed his run perfectly and slotted the ball home with his left foot, giving Senegal a crucial lead.
Despite a late surge by the home-based Super Eagles, including a close attempt by Vincent Temitope, Nigeria could not find an equaliser, leaving Senegal to celebrate a statement win.
Senegal, champions of the 2022 edition in Algeria, started the match with composure but had to endure early pressure from the Nigerians. The first half saw chances for both sides: Sikiru Alimi forced a save from Senegalese goalkeeper Marc Diouf, while Senegal’s Daouda Ba and Koïté threatened with powerful long-range strikes.
Nigeria’s head coach Éric Chelle remained optimistic despite the setback. “We’ll take each game as it comes,” he said, with matches against Congo and Sudan still to play in the group stage.
On the other hand, Senegal’s coach Souleymane Diallo, who had brushed off suggestions of pressure before the tournament, reiterated his team’s ambitions: “We’re not here to defend a trophy; we’re here to win a new one.”
The win not only gives Senegal a strong start to the tournament but also extends their unbeaten run against West African rivals in CHAN competition. Remarkably, it also marks their sixth 1–0 victory in CHAN history a testament to their defensive discipline and tactical efficiency.
CHAN, a biennial tournament featuring players active in their home leagues, continues to showcase the depth and talent of domestic African football, with Group D shaping up as one of the most competitive.
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