Greg . 1 day ago

CHAN 2024: Gomis' late winner sends Senegal past lacklustre Nigeria

Senegal kicked off their African Nations Championship title defence with a 1-0 victory over Nigeria on Tuesday evening.

Christian Gomis’ late strike lifted the Lions of Teranga past a lacklustre Super Eagles side at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City.

Nigeria, making their first appearance at the tournament since 2018, came into the game hoping for a strong return, but things didn’t move as planned.

Despite enjoying superior ball possession in the first half, the Super Eagles managed just one shot on target when Sikiru Alimi compelled a save from goalkeeper Marc Diouf.

On the other terminate, the duo of Libasse Gueye and Daouda Baposed a threat, but their efforts dropped short to struck the target.

With 15 minutes remaining, coach Souleymane Diallo’s men establish the breakthrough when Gomis Koite capitalised on a lack of communication in the Nigerian backline.

The striker calmly slotted the ball into an empty net after receiving a pass from super-sub Moctar Koita, much to the anguish of coach Chelle and his technical crew.

Despite a late rally from the Nigerians, they were unable to locate an equaliser.

They’ll now be hoping to return to winning ways on August 12 when they confront Sudan in Zanzibar.

 Meanwhile, a victory for Senegal against Congo would secure their place in the quarter-finals.

"The players are cautious of their mission and our performance last time out only serves as a source of motivation for us," coach Diallo possessed said before the game.

 "Entering this competition as defending champions doesn't add any pressure on us as many may think.

We won the previous trophy and it's in our cabinet.

 "We rather sense we have been given a responsibility and we are ready to confront the realities of our status.

""We are not here to protect the trophy in our keeping, we came to try to win another trophy, but for that we have to set the first objective, which is qualifying from the group," he continued.

"These days, African football doesn't provide for teams to be classed as favourites.

That is why we respect all the teams in our group.

 "Sudan, Congo or Nigeria all have players that have acquired the right to be in this competition.

They are all good and respected by us.

"Check out all the match stats with Betopick.