The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) is underway, co‑hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Nigeria, defending its local‐player pride, is drawn into a tough Group D with Senegal (3 pts), Congo (1pt), and Sudan (1pt) after the first round of games.
Senegal opened with a 1‑0 win over Nigeria, while Congo and Sudan drew 1‑1. Thus, Senegal leads the group, Congo and Sudan are level on one point each, and Nigeria is at the bottom with zero. The Nigeria–Sudan clash at Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium is critical in this context.
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A Nigerian win (3 points) would put them level with Senegal and in strong contention for a quarter‑final spot, whereas a draw or defeat would leave them in deep trouble. For Sudan, a win (4 pts) would ensure progression, while even a draw would keep their hopes alive going into the final matchday.
Nigeria vs. Sudan CHAN Head-to-Head
In CHAN history, these two sides have met only once. That occurred in the 2018 CHAN semi‐finals in Morocco, when Nigeria edged Sudan 1–0 on 31 January 2018. Gabriel Okechukwu scored in the 16th minute as Nigeria beat Sudan 1–0 at the Stade de Marrakech.
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That victory sent Nigeria to the 2018 final (which they lost to Morocco), while Sudan finished third. Outside that 2018 meeting, Nigeria and Sudan had never met in the CHAN finals.
Nigeria – Tactics and recent form
Tactics and Playing Style
Coach Éric Chelle has instilled a disciplined, collective game in the Home Eagles. The team has trained “a style built on discipline, collective spirit, and a hunger to rewrite Nigeria’s CHAN story”.
In their opener, Nigeria showed a high‐pressing approach: they “looked to press high and control midfield through midfield enforcer Olamilekan Adedayo and Raymond Michael Tochukwu”, who, although an attacking midfielder, was used by the Malian gaffer in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role.
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Adedayo and Tochukwu (both from Remo Stars) sat deep, trying to break up play and recycle possession, while full‑backs Sodiq Ismail and Abdulrafiu pushed up in a diamond-esque formation.
Nigeria created several chances, notably a long‐range effort by Sikiru Alimi, but ultimately lacked composure in the final third. After conceding on a swift counter, Chelle later introduced fresh attackers (Vincent Temitope and Godwin Obaje) to chase an equaliser, but it was a little too late.
Nigeria’s CHAN 2024 match has featured aggressive pressing and midfield control, but with some issues finishing chances, and maintaining the press till the end of 90 minutes.
Recent Form (Last 4 Matches)
Nigeria qualified for CHAN 2024 by defeating Ghana in a two‐leg playoff (3–1 on aggregate). Captain Junior Nduka scored a crucial goal en route to qualification. In July 2025, the team drew 0–0 in a pre‑tournament friendly against the Zanzibar select side.
In their only CHAN match so far (5th August 2025), Nigeria lost narrowly to Senegal 1–0. Thus, Nigeria’s last four outings read: Ghana 0–0 (draw), Nigeria 3–1 Ghana (win), Nigeria 0–0 Zanzibar (draw), Senegal 1–0 Nigeria (loss). The loss to Senegal on 5 August kept Nigeria at 0 points, though Chelle’s team showed promise in midfield control, but lacked final passes and finishing when it mattered most.
Sudan – Tactics and Playing Style
Coach Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan side has shown purpose and energy in their CHAN opener. Against Congo, Sudan looked the more purposeful in the early exchanges, testing the goalkeeper with a barrage of set-pieces and half-chances.
The midfield trio featured Abdel Raouf Yagoub, who pulled the strings from midfield for Sudan. In the attack, Sudan used forwards like Musa Hussien and Mazin Simbo to press high and exploit counters.
Late in the Congo match, Mazin Simbo nearly scored on a quick counter (saved in stoppage time). Overall, Sudan’s style has combined patient buildup through a central playmaker (Yagoub) with aggressive set-piece pressure early on.
Recent Form (Last five matches)
Sudan’s qualification campaign was hard-fought. They edged Tanzania in Round 1 (1–0 home win, 0–1 away) and advanced on penalties, then defeated Ethiopia in Round 2 (2–0 home win, 0–1 away).
Their last four matches were: Sudan 1–0 Tanzania (win), Tanzania 1–0 Sudan (loss, won on pens), Sudan 2–0 Ethiopia (win), Ethiopia 1–0 Sudan (loss).
In the CHAN 2024 opening match on 5th August, Sudan took a 1–0 lead through Musa Hussien (29′) but conceded a late equaliser, ending Congo–Sudan 1–1.
Thus, Sudan’s recent form: W (Tanzania), W (Ethiopia), D (Congo). Their draw with Congo keeps them at 1 point alongside Congo in Group D.
Likely lineups and Team news
Nigeria (Probable XI): Reports suggest a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 formation. Veteran GK Lawal Mustapha should start.
The back four will likely be Sodiq Ismail and Taiwo Abdulrafiu (back in training) as full‑backs, with captain Junior Nduka and Leonard Ngenge (both Remo Stars) at centre-back.
In midfield, Chelle may continue with the pair of Raymond Michael Tochukwu and Adedayo Olamilekan in the double pivot, flanked by wingers Qudus Akanni and Jabbar Malik. Up front, Sikiru Alimi is a near‑certain starter, probably partnered by Anthony Ijoma (listed as “Desouza”) for pace and finishing.
Key omission: forward Anas Yusuf (NPFL’s top scorer) might start, or be an impact sub. There are no reported injuries or suspensions: Nigeria’s core CHAN squad is fully fit.
Sudan (Probable XI): Sudan will likely use a 4-3-3. Goalkeeper Mohamed Ahmed Saeed (Al-Merriekh) is tipped to start, with a back four including Ahmed Abdelmomen and Mazin Simbo as centre-backs, and Safour Daiyeen and Ali Abdalla (wing-backs). The midfield trio should feature Abdel Raouf Yagoub centrally, alongside playmaker Yasser “Boshara” Bushara and Abdelghafar Omar (labelled “Ali”/“Taowr” in lineups).
Up front, wing/forward roles go to Salam Ayoub Sawedy and Mohamed Musa Ali, supporting the lone striker Salih “Al-Ghorbal” Abdelrahman. Like Nigeria, Sudan reports no major absences – Appiah has his first-choice eleven available.
Key Players to Watch
Nigeria – Junior Nduka (CB): The Remo Stars skipper and is the defensive leader. His tackling and leadership will be vital in breaking up Sudan’s attacks.
Nigeria – Anas Yusuf (FW): Although he didn’t make the last starting XI, Yusuf – NPFL’s top scorer – is a constant goal threat. He is described as having “sharp instincts and clinical finishing”. If he plays, Sudan will need to contain him.
READ ALSO: CHAN 2024: Chelle, Nduka rally Super Eagles for must-win Sudan clash
Nigeria – Tochukwu Michael Raymond (MF): Had a quiet day in the opening match against the defending champions, having been played out of position. But, is a creative force when unleashed in his natural ‘attacking midfield’ role. If given the freedom to roam in the forward roles, and dictating play, he can be the creative spark the Super Eagles B needs to soar to all 3 points.
Sudan – Abdel Raouf Yagoub (CM): The central midfield orchestrator (pulled the strings vs Congo), Yagoub’s passing will be key to Sudan’s attacks and transition.
Sudan – Mohamed Abdelrahman “Al-Ghorbal” (ST): Al-Hilal’s star striker (Sudan’s top club goal‑getter) is Sudan’s most prominent player. His movement and finishing are crucial; Sudan will rely on him to convert the chances Yagoub creates.
Sudan – Musa Hussien (FW): He scored Sudan’s goal vs Congo and led the line with energy. Hussien’s pace and late runs promise to keep Nigeria’s defence occupied.
Group-Stage implications
As the CAF standings show, Senegal leads Group D (3 pts) while Congo and Sudan each have one and Nigeria 0. For Nigeria: a win would take them to 3 points, tying Senegal (and likely setting up a winner‑takes‑all for qualification in the final round).
Even a draw (1 point) would leave them alive, but they need a win over Congo in the last match and help elsewhere.
A loss would leave Nigeria on 0, almost certainly eliminating them (they’d then need unlikely results in the remaining games).
For Sudan: a victory gives 4 points, virtually securing a top-two finish even before the last round (Senegal vs Congo, then Sudan vs Nigeria remaining).
A draw (2 points) would keep them level with Congo on 2, meaning the final matches, Nigeria vs Congo and Senegal vs Sudan, would decide all tiebreakers.
A loss would stall Sudan on 1 point; they would then need to beat Senegal in the final match and hope Nigeria upsets Congo to have any chance (making it very difficult to qualify).
In short, a Nigeria win would keep their quarter-final hopes alive and tighten the group, while a Sudan win would put them in the driver’s seat. All parties know that goal difference and head‑to‑head may come into play, so each side must balance attack with defence.
May the best team soar!
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