The lights at Zanzibar’s Amani Stadium will shine on one of the most intriguing nights of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, with Group D’s fate hanging in the balance. Four teams, four storylines, and one evening to decide who marches into the quarter-finals.
Sudan, revitalised under coach Kwesi Appiah, are the group leaders and the team to beat. Their stunning 4-0 demolition of Nigeria not only shocked the tournament but also announced their fearless intent. For Appiah, survival is not the goal — victory is.
“I don’t go into games to defend. The best way to defend is to attack. We’re playing for goals,” the former Ghana coach declared. “Whether it’s at the CHAN, AFCON, or the World Cup qualifiers, my intention is to win.”
Sudan need just a point to advance, but Appiah refuses to play cautiously. His side are unbeaten for almost a year, with their last defeat dating back to November 2024 against Niger. The streak, he believes, is fuelling their belief. “Senegal is a big team, and we can’t underrate them. It’s not going to be a walkover. We’ll need to make sure we fight till the end of the game.”
Key to Sudan’s rise has been their unpredictability. Goals have come from all corners of the squad, and their efficiency from set pieces has made them one of the deadliest sides in the tournament. Captain Fares Abdullah summed up the spirit: “My performances alongside that of my teammates are a result of the trust we have for each other. I feel we’ll do better against Senegal.”
But waiting for them is the defending champion — Senegal. Coach Souleymane Diallo knows the stakes. “It’s a quarter-final before the quarter-final,” he said. “Sudan’s win over Nigeria turned the group on its head, but my team is hungry; they want to write their own history.”
For Diallo, past glories mean nothing. “Being champions for us is history. History remains in the past, but we must capitalize on improving in the present and future.” Yet Senegal’s numbers tell a promising story: with four points already, they are ahead of their pace from 2022, when they lifted the trophy.
Forward Libasse Gueye, man of the match against Nigeria, insists the Teranga Lions remain grounded. “Football is a collective game. I always put my team ahead. For me to be best, I need to play collectively with my colleagues. This is one of the biggest matches of my career.”
While Sudan and Senegal fight for supremacy, Congo and Nigeria face their own battle of survival in Dar es Salaam. Congo sit on one point and must beat Nigeria to keep their quarter-final dream alive. “There is no alternative to victory,” said coach Barthelemy Ngatsono. “We respect Nigeria, but they are like a wounded lion. They will play with pride, so we must be sharper and stay focused.”
For Nigeria, already eliminated after two heavy defeats, the final game is about pride. Coach Eric Sekou Chelle admitted the tournament had been a struggle after losing eight key players to overseas transfers. “That’s 80% of the squad gone. We had to rebuild on the fly,” he explained. Still, he insists his side will fight. “We want to end the competition with a victory. We haven’t scored yet, and this game is our chance to put things right.”
Defender Junior Nduka echoed that determination. “We need a win for the country. We’ll give everything against Congo. The two defeats affected us, but we must bounce back.”
With two matches running simultaneously and every outcome carrying weight, Group D promises one of the most dramatic nights of CHAN 2024. For Sudan, it’s about proving their new identity under Appiah. For Senegal, it’s about defending their crown with hunger. For Congo, it’s survival. For Nigeria, it’s redemption.
When the final whistles blow, only two will remain standing.