Sudan pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) by crushing Nigeria 4-0 and sending the Super Eagles home early — with a game still left to play.
The match took place on August 12 in Zanzibar and turned Group D upside down. Sudan now sits at the top of the group, while Nigeria is at the very bottom with no points after two games.
Group D Standings:
- Senegal: 3 points (leading group)
- Congo: 1 point
- Sudan: 1 point
- Nigeria: 0 points
It all started badly for the Super Eagles when Leonard Ngenge’s own goal handed Sudan the lead. The setback deepened when captain Walieldin Khdir calmly slotted home a penalty before halftime. Abdel Raouf Yagoub sealed a historic victory and won man-of-the-match after the interval with two clinical finishes in the 55th and 62nd minutes.
Nigeria had their moments early on, creating set-piece chances and even having a goal ruled out for offside. However, the result was altered by poor decisions, defensive blunders, and Sudan’s unrelenting preparation under coach Kwesi Appiah. The Super Eagles’ attacks broke down and their backline was repeatedly exposed down the flanks, and they were unable to make any headway despite tactical adjustments made at halftime.
The result leaves Sudan tied on four points with Senegal but ahead on goal difference. Their final group game against Senegal will now be a decider for top spot. For Nigeria, the last match against Congo will be little more than a consolation fixture, with serious questions hanging over their tactics, mentality, and preparation.
For Sudan, this was more than just a win — it was a statement. Under Appiah’s guidance, they’ve shown they can blend tactical discipline with deadly efficiency on the big stage. For Nigeria, it was a sobering reminder that reputation counts for nothing if performance doesn’t match.
In Zanzibar, it was a night of jubilation for Sudanese fans — and heartbreak for Nigerian supporters — a vivid reminder of why CHAN remains one of Africa’s most unpredictable and thrilling competitions.
Head-to-Head Snapshot
Overall Record:
- Total matches: 15
- Nigeria wins: 9
- Draws: 4
- Sudan wins: 2
Recent Form Against Each Other:
- Nigeria won the last 3 encounters, including the most recent in 2022, where they edged Sudan 3–1 in the African Cup of Nations.
Notable Recent Match (AFCON 2021/22):
Nigeria 3–1 Sudan
- Goals: Chukwueze (3’), Awoniyi (45’), Simon (46’)
- Sudan pulled one back via a penalty (Khidir, 70’)
