CHAN 2025: Super Eagles B Aim to Soar Past Sudan in Make-or-Break Clash
Nigeria’s famed resilience on the football pitch will face another stern examination as the home-based Super Eagles prepare to battle Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane in a must-win Group D encounter at the 8th African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Tuesday.
The showdown takes place at the 15,000-capacity Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar — the same venue where Nigeria, runners-up in 2018, suffered a narrow defeat to defending champions Senegal last week. That loss came courtesy of Senegal’s only shot on target, scored with just 15 minutes left on the clock, leaving Nigeria with no margin for error in their second group outing.
Head Coach Eric Chelle acknowledged the pressure but emphasized the team’s determination to bounce back and keep their tournament hopes alive.
‘I just want to win this game against Sudan; this is my game project. We are under pressure but we are ambitious and must win tomorrow. This game is the most important for us because a win can bring something good for the team,’ Chelle stated during Monday’s pre-match press conference.
Team captain Nduka Harrison Junior echoed the coach’s sentiments, stressing the importance of staying focused and learning from past mistakes.
‘We want to take each game as it comes, and next for us is Sudan. The previous game was a setback and not a disaster. We have a point to prove and we are ready to correct our mistakes,’ Harrison said.
Sudan, meanwhile, are also feeling the sting of missed opportunity. The Falcons were denied victory in their opening match against Congo after conceding a late equalizer, settling for a single point instead of three. Now, they too enter Tuesday’s clash with everything to play for.
Sudan’s head coach Kwesi Appiah made it clear that while his side respects Nigeria’s pedigree, they won’t be intimidated.
‘Nigeria is one of the biggest nations in African football and we respect them, but we won’t fear them. I don’t believe in any rivalry; this is a game and the best team will win. I have watched only one game of the Nigerian team and can’t assess them based on one game. I don’t see any player as a threat, but the entire team,’ Appiah said.
With both teams desperate for victory and the knockout rounds looming, the stage is set for a high-stakes clash under the lights of Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm local time — and for Nigeria, it’s win or go home.
