Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Sudan on Tuesday, 12 August, ending their hopes of progressing beyond the group stage at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The match at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar saw Sudan take control after Nigeria had an early goal ruled out for offside. In the 25th minute, defender Lurwanu Ngenge put the ball into his own net to give Sudan the lead. Just before half-time, Walieldin Khidir doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after a defensive error.
Nigeria coach Éric Chelle made changes at the break, but the second half brought more misery. Yousif Ahmed scored Sudan’s third goal in the 50th minute, and Abdelrahman Tabanja struck twice, in the 55th and 62nd minutes, to seal an emphatic win.
The defeat leaves Nigeria bottom of Group D with no points and no goals scored after two matches, having earlier lost 1-0 to Senegal. This is their heaviest loss at CHAN since the 4-0 defeat to Morocco in the 2018 final.
The result also means Sudan, coached by former Ghana boss Kwesi Appiah, move closer to securing a quarter-final spot, while Nigeria exit the tournament at the group stage for the second time in their history.