Senegal Edges Nigeria in Intense CHAN 2024 Group D Encounter.
The reigning champions of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), Senegal, kicked off their title defense at the 2024 PAMOJA edition with a narrow yet significant 1–0 triumph over regional rivals Nigeria. The much-anticipated Group D showdown took place at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, drawing attention across the continent as two of Africa’s most illustrious footballing nations locked horns in a high-octane, hard-fought match.
The encounter lived up to expectations, showcasing fierce competitiveness, physical duels, and moments of individual brilliance. After a tightly contested battle that remained goalless for much of the game, the breakthrough came late in the second half. In the 75th minute, Moctar Koïté made a blistering run down the right wing, catching the Nigerian defense off guard during a swift counter-attack. He then delivered a precise, low-driven cross into the penalty area.
Arriving at the right time and completely unmarked, Christian Gomis met the pass and coolly converted it with his left foot, sending the ball past the Nigerian goalkeeper and into the net. The goal proved decisive, as Senegal managed to maintain their lead despite intense late-game pressure from Nigeria, including a close chance for an equalizer by Vincent Temitope.
Throughout the first half, both sides had opportunities to open the scoring. Nigeria’s Sikiru Alimi forced a save from Senegal’s goalkeeper Marc Diouf, while Senegal responded with threatening long-range efforts from Daouda Ba and Koïté, who both tested the resilience of the Nigerian backline. The game was marked by periods of cautious buildup play, reflecting the high stakes and mutual respect between the two teams.
Senegal Defending Champs
Senegal, who claimed the CHAN title in 2022 when the tournament was held in Algeria, started the match with composure but had to absorb sustained early pressure from the Super Eagles’ home-based squad. Despite the setback, Nigeria’s head coach Éric Chelle remained positive after the final whistle. “We’ll take each game as it comes,” he said confidently, looking ahead to their remaining group fixtures against Congo and Sudan.
Senegal’s coach, Souleymane Diallo, had downplayed the burden of expectations in the lead-up to the tournament. After the victory, he reiterated his squad’s focused mentality and ambitions, stating, “We’re not here just to defend a trophy; we’re here to win a new one.”
This win not only marked a strong start to Senegal’s 2024 campaign but also continued their dominance over fellow West African teams in the CHAN tournament. It was their sixth 1–0 victory in CHAN history—further underscoring their tactical discipline and defensive prowess.
The match set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament. Designed exclusively for players competing in their countries’ domestic leagues, CHAN continues to provide a platform for emerging local talents. The tightly contested nature of this opening fixture between Senegal and Nigeria highlighted the depth of quality and passion in African football, especially when traditional powerhouses collide on the continental stage.
