Defending champions Senegal began their title defence at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a fiercely contested Group D opener at the Amaan Stadium on Tuesday evening.
A second-half strike from Christian Gomis proved decisive in a tense encounter where both sides created opportunities but struggled with composure in the final third.
The tournament—exclusively reserved for players competing in their respective domestic leagues—kicked off with all the intensity one would expect from two of Africa’s most storied footballing nations.
Senegal, winners of the 2022 edition held in Algeria, started brightly and maintained composure in possession, but were forced to weather Nigeria’s early aggression.
The Super Eagles, featuring at the CHAN finals for the first time since 2018, pressed high and looked to dominate the midfield through Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu. Both players picked up early bookings, as tempers flared and challenges flew in.
Despite a first half full of heavy tackles and limited clear-cut chances, both teams showed glimpses of attacking intent.
Sikiru Alimi forced a smart save from Senegalese goalkeeper Marc Diouf midway through the opening half, while Daouda Ba and Moctar Koïté tested Nigeria’s backline with speculative efforts from distance.
The breakthrough came in the 75th minute following a swift Senegalese counter-attack. Substitute Koïté surged down the right flank and delivered a precise low cross into the penalty area, where Gomis arrived unmarked to calmly guide the ball home with his left foot.
The goal was a product of precision, timing, and tactical awareness—sending the Senegalese bench into raptures.
Nigeria responded with urgency, introducing Vincent Temitope and Godwin Obaje to bolster their forward line. Temitope came close with a late effort that drifted narrowly wide, while Alimi and Jabbar Malik posed threats from set pieces.
Senegal’s defensive unit, led by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, remained resolute under increasing pressure, showing composure and organisation in the closing stages.
The second half was marked by seven substitutions and several injury stoppages, adding to the tension as the match approached its conclusion.
Key tactical changes from Coach Souleymane Diallo—including the introductions of Bonaventure Fonseca and Pape Badji—helped disrupt Nigeria’s momentum and preserve the slender lead.
Nigeria’s frustration grew in stoppage time, with Shola Adelani penalised for handball and the team unable to find a late equaliser.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria’s head coach Éric Chelle remained optimistic, urging his players to “take each game as it comes”, with crucial fixtures against Congo and Sudan still to come in the group stage.
For Senegal, the victory extends their unbeaten record against West African opponents at CHAN and marks their sixth 1-0 win in the competition’s history—underscoring their defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
Prior to the match, Coach Diallo had insisted his side felt no pressure in defending their title. After this gritty display, his squad have demonstrated that they are well-prepared to do just that.
Senegal now top Group D, while Nigeria will be desperate to bounce back in their next fixture. If this opening clash is anything to go by, the road to the quarter-finals promises to be fiercely contested.
