Nigeria’s Super Eagles B signed off their African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 campaign with a morale-boosting 2-0 win against the Red Devils of Congo on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam.
Already eliminated before the final Group D clash, the Eagles played for pride and delivered through second-half goals from Anas Yusuf in the 56th minute and Sikiru Alimi deep into stoppage time.
Coach Eric Chelle made several changes to the starting lineup, handing first minutes of the tournament to Alex Oyowah, Stephen Manyo, Anas Yusuf, and Akanni Qudus. Nigeria started brightly as Yusuf fired narrowly over in the opening minute, while Congo also threatened early on but failed to find the target.
Despite dominating possession, the Eagles struggled to convert chances in the first half. Sikiru Alimi saw his effort blocked before Junior Nduka’s header went over the bar. The half ended goalless with little to separate the two sides.
Nigeria’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 56th minute. Striker Sikiru Alimi knocked down Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s cross, setting up Anas Yusuf, who calmly slotted home to open the scoring and record Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament.
The match remained cagey until stoppage time when Alimi doubled the advantage with a composed finish, sealing a first win for Nigeria in the competition. The result saw the Eagles finish third in Group D, above Congo, though both teams were eliminated.
Elsewhere, the other group game between Sudan and Senegal ended goalless, allowing both sides to progress as winners and runners-up, respectively.
With CHAN duties concluded, Nigeria’s NPFL stars will now return focus to the upcoming 2025/26 domestic season. Coach Eric Chelle, meanwhile, will shift attention to preparing the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
