Super Eagles B of Nigeria ended their CHAN 2024 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Red Devils of Congo on Tuesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Eagles, already out of the competition, played for pride against the Congo side, who were eyeing progression. However, it was Nigeria who managed to claim victory through second-half strikes from Anas Yusuf (56′) and Sikiru Alimi (90+3′).
Following Nigeria’s elimination, Eric Chelle made changes to his side for the final Group D clash by fielding Alex Oyowah, Stephen Manyo, Anas Yusuf, and Akanni Qudus from the start, with the former getting his first minutes in the tournament. As always, Chelle’s men started the game well as Anas fired an attempt over the bar in the first minute, and before the 10th-minute mark, the Congolese side also had their first shot at goal.
Nigeria continued to enjoy more of the ball possession, but they failed to get any of their attempts on target in the opening half-hour. Striker Sikiru Alimi’s attempt on goal was blocked out for a corner, while Junior Nduka headed over from the resulting delivery.
Just after the half-hour mark, Nigeria got the game’s first shot on target. After some fine build-up play from the back, Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s cross was headed straight into the waiting arms of Congo goalkeeper Simon Samba. The half ended goalless in front of a near-empty Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
After the interval, the Super Eagles continued to dominate possession, but they failed to create meaningful goalscoring chances. However, eleven minutes after the restart, the pressure paid off as the two strikers – Sikiru Alimi and Anas Yusuf – combined for the game’s opening goal. Alimi’s knockdown from Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s cross was turned home by Yusuf for Nigeria’s first goal in the tournament.
The sides barely created enough goalscoring chances after that goal, until Sikiru Alimi doubled Nigeria’s lead in stoppage time, as Chelle’s men secured a first win of the tournament. In the end, the Eagles finished third, ahead of Congo, who were also eliminated from the competition.
The other group game between Sudan and Senegal ended goalless, as both teams progressed as group winners and runners-up, respectively.
The NPFL stars will now turn their attention to the 2025/26 season that gets underway this weekend. As for Chelle, he will be focused on getting Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with games against Rwanda and South Africa in early September.
Man of the match: Alex Oyowah (Nigeria)
