Senegal Edge Nigeria 1-0 in CHAN Opener
The breakthrough was obtained in the 75th minute when Christian Gomis capitalised on a Nigeria defensive mistake. His goal sealed all three points for Senegal.
Defending champions, also known as the Lions of Teranga, started slowly. Neither team could create open scoring chances in the first half, which ended goalless. Photo/KBC Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Senegal started their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Nigeria with a closely contested 1-0 win. The Group D game was played Tuesday night at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City.
Defending champions, also known as the Lions of Teranga, started slowly. Neither team could create open scoring chances in the first half, which ended goalless.
In the second half, the game opened up slightly. Nigeria controlled most of the possession but could not break Senegal’s solid defense. The breakthrough was obtained in the 75th minute when Christian Gomis capitalised on a Nigeria defensive mistake. His goal sealed all three points for Senegal.
Even though Nigeria returned to CHAN after not participating since 2018, their attack was dull. They launched attacks in an attempt to score but barely tested the Senegalese goalkeeper.
Senegal, holders of the 2022 CHAN title, now lead Group D with three points. They will face Congo on August 12 in their next match. A win in that match would see them qualify for the quarter-finals.
Nigeria, on the other hand, has a game they have to win against Sudan in order to stay in the competition. Another loss will effectively kill their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Congo’s Red Devils had earlier taken on Sudan’s Nile Crocodiles to a 1-1 draw in the same venue. Congo came from behind to save a point with a late goal and left both teams with one point apiece.
Following the first round of Group D games, Senegal has 3 points. Congo and Sudan have 1 each, while Nigeria is at the bottom with no point.
Senegal’s head coach complimented his team for remaining patient and seizing their opportunity when it arose. He admitted that Nigeria was difficult to defeat but maintained that his team’s ambition is still to hold on to their CHAN title.
The fans wait in anticipation for the series of subsequent matches when Group D’s qualification situation will be clearer.
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