Sudan produced the shock of African Nations Championship (CHAN) so far, thrashing Nigeria 4–0 in Zanzibar to go top of Group D and in the process, knocking the Home Eagles out of the tournament with a game to spare, at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
In the 22nd minute, Anthony Ijoma thought he had put Nigeria ahead after scoring a lovely goal, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside. Three minutes later Sudan responded with a freakish opener.
Yagoub’s shot cannoned off the post and ricocheted in off the unfortunate Leonard Ngenge (25’).
A blow became a body-shot just before the break when Ngenge’s miserable few minutes continued — a handball in the box (43’).
Sudan Captain Walieldin Khdir stepped up and slotted home the penalty into the top-right corner (44’) to stun the Nigerians.
Nigeria still had a sniff before half-time when Sikiru Alimi went close twice, glancing wide from a cross (39’) and prodding past the post in stoppage time (45+4’). However, the scores remained 2-0 to Sudan.
Eric Chelle rolled the dice at the interval with a triple change — Steven Manyo, Jabbar Malik and Vincent Temitope on — in search of a response.
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Instead, Sudan tightened their grip. Tochukwu’s free-kick flew over (52’) and, almost immediately, the Falcons of Jediane pounced again.
Musa Hussien’s persistence created chaos and Yagoub, outstanding all evening between the lines, arrived to steer a left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner (55’). Seven minutes later he iced the contest, sweeping in a fourth from the centre of the area to the top-left (62’) after Sudan pinched possession and broke with clarity and conviction.
From there, Appiah’s side managed the game with a cool head. Sudan’s midfield trio snapped into duels and recycled the ball smartly, while full-backs Ahmed Tabanja and Mazin Simbo picked their moments to progress or, more often, to stay compact.
The result arrives on a day when title holders Senegal were held 1–1 by Congo, leaving the standings finely poised for the final round: Sudan and Senegal on four points apiece, Congo on two, and Nigeria out of contention.
With only four teams in Group D, the Home Eagles can now reach a maximum of three points — not enough to finish in the top two.
For Nigeria, the statistics and the storyline are stark. Two matches, no goals, five conceded. The disallowed goal at 22 minutes changed nothing about a defensive display that never recovered from Ngenge’s double calamity before half-time.
Chelle’s side created half-chances, but lacked precision in crossing and composure in front of goal; when the press was bypassed, they were repeatedly exposed down the flanks.
Bookings for Ahmed Tabanja (50’) and Shola Adelani (81’) reflected a contest growing increasingly stretched — but only one team looked likely to score again.
