Confident fans tip Super Eagles for CHAN 2024 knockout stage despite Senegal setback

By Dayo Awoniyi

Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Senegal in their opening Group D fixture, Nigerian fans remain optimistic about the Super Eagles B team’s chances at the ongoing CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

The Eagles conceded in the 75th minute and now face must-win matches against Sudan and Congo to keep their hopes of advancing alive. However, many supporters see the loss as a minor stumble rather than a fatal blow to their tournament ambitions.

Speaking to Nigeria Footballng, fans expressed belief in the team’s ability to bounce back, citing the encouraging display against a strong Senegalese side.

Azuama Daniel admitted he expected a tough contest but still has faith in the Eagles’ potential.

“The fact that Eagles lost the match does not mean they cannot reach the next stage. The team needs to win the two remaining matches. Sudan and Congo should not pose a threat — but they must not be underrated,” he warned.

Babatunde Suleiman echoed the sentiment, stating his confidence that the Eagles would overcome the group stage hurdle, while Hassan Andrew described the loss as a necessary wake-up call.

“This can motivate them to put in more effort and go all the way to the final,” Andrew said.
“With good preparation, focus, and determination, the Eagles will definitely win their matches against Sudan and Congo.”

Ekwenta Jude acknowledged Senegal’s strength, labeling them “worthy defending champions,” but urged the Nigerian team to stay composed and avoid unnecessary pressure.

“As a Nigerian, I pray the Eagles reach the final and even win the championship for the first time in our history,” he added.

With two crucial fixtures remaining, fans are rallying behind the team, hopeful that lessons learned from the Senegal defeat combined with tactical adjustments and mental resilience will be enough to reignite their CHAN campaign and push for a historic finish.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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