Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0 in their African Nations Championship (CHAN) final clash.
The CHAN Eagles were already eliminated from the tournament before the match began, so they were playing for pride.
Nigeria secured a 2-0 win to end the competition on a positive note. The first goal came in the second half through Anas Yusuf in the 56th minute, and Sikiru Alimi added the second in stoppage time.
Nigeria had standout players on the night, including Alimi, who displayed his class and was phenomenal to watch. In addition to scoring a goal, he also provided an assist.
The 29-year-old had six touches in the opposition box and created two big chances.
Taiwo Abdulrafiu was also impressive. The left-back showcased why he is highly rated at his club, Sunshine Stars.
Abdulrafiu contributed to the team’s attack, completing 100% of his dribbles, making eight passes into the final third, playing two crosses, and completing six accurate long balls.
Defensively, he was exceptional, making four clearances, intercepting the ball twice, and securing seven recoveries. He completed 86% of his ground duels and 75% of his aerial duels.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt had a debut to remember as he became the youngest Nigerian player to start at the African Nations Championship and keep a clean sheet at just 15 years-old.
This isn’t Harcourt’s first time playing in a continental tournament—he also featured for Nigeria in the CAF U-20 AFCON earlier this year, where he kept three clean sheets.
The only positives to take away from this match are the players’ performances against Congo.
Apart from that, there is little to be proud of, as both Nigeria and Congo were knocked out of the competition.
Sudan and Senegal progressed to the quarterfinals from Group D, where they will face Uganda and Algeria, respectively.
