The home-based Super Eagles have crashed out of the 2024 African Nations Championship following a disappointing 4-0 defeat in their second group stage match against Sudan, Footynaija.com reports.
A Leonard Ngenge own goal was followed up by Wallieldin Khidir’s penalty to put Sudan two goals in front at the break. The Nile Crocodiles picked up from where they left off as 32-year-old midfielder Abdelrazig Omer bagged a second half brace to see off the Super Eagles.
Footynaija.com now brings you five key takeaways from this disastrous defeat.
5. Leonard Ngenge’s nightmare continues
Ngenge’s sluggish defending was practically responsible for Nigeria’s only concession in the defeat against Senegal last week and his unfortunate campaign continued in today’s game against Sudan.
The Ikorodu City FC center back featured for only the first 45 minutes but dealt enough damage before being hacked off by Eric Chelle at half time.
He scored an own goal while attempting a clearance to gift Sudan the lead before his unintentional handling of the ball in the box led to a penalty that put the Nile Crocodiles two goals up at the break.
4. Nigeria’s overall defensive disaster-class
Ngenge’s poor performance in this game does stand out but the overall defensive display from the home-based Super Eagles was nothing to write home about.
The introduction of Stephen Manyo in place of Ngenge at the start of the second half did little to stem the tide and Sudan added two more goals courtesy of Omer, who delivered a Man of the Match performance.
3. Nigeria’s attack remains toothless
The Super Eagles’ struggles at the top end of the pitch still persist. They are yet to open their account at the tournament, drawing blanks against Senegal and now Sudan.
To make matters worse, Eric Chelle’s men are the only team in D without a goal in the tournament and consequently have the worse goal difference as things stand.
2. The quality of NPFL players under the spotlight
Before now, there have been calls for the Nigeria national team to involve more Nigeria Professional Football League players in the Super Eagles setup.
Those murmurs have especially gained traction in the wake of Nigeria’s stuttering World Cup qualification where the Super Eagles have all but given a good account of themselves and now need a miracle to make it to the Mundial.
However, with this display from the supposed best players in the country, the continued reliance on foreign-based players for national team duties has been seemingly justified.
1. The Super Eagles crash out of CHAN
After recording consecutive defeats in their first two games and conceding five goals in the process, Nigeria are on course to finish bottom of Group D unless they win their final game against Congo.
Whether they defeat Congo or not though, the home-based Super Eagles will draw the curtains on their African Nations Championship campaign after that last group-stage match.
This campaign will be one to forget for Eric Chelle and Nigerians as the results of this tournament represents the Super Eagles’ worst ever showing at the African Nations Championship.