The Home-based Super Eagles bowed out of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a precious 2-0 win over Congo in the final group game on Tuesday.
Eric Chelle made changes as he promised, starting young goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt in goal and also handing starts to Stephen Manyo and to NPFL top scorer, Anas Yusuf.
The CHAN Eagles had majority of the ball possession as they knocked the ball around confidently but failed to create any real threat in the opening moments of the game and down to the end of the first half, despite getting advantage often from dead balls.
Anas Yusuf and Manyo got yellow cards in the first half, in a half that turned physical. Congo defended well and had no shots on target in the first half, against Nigeria’s one.
The team returned from the break with renewed zeal for a goal and were rewarded in the 56th minute who Anas Yusuf slotted past the goalkeeper after receiving a headed pass from Alimi. Alimi scored the second goal in the third minute of extra time after Atipo was shown a red card for a foul on him. The match saw 7 yellow cards and one red card.
They held on to their win to knock out Congo and bow out with a third place finish on the table. Senegal and Sudan qualify for the next round with five points.
