Sudan 4-0 Nigeria: Three Notable Coaching Errors That Sealed Nigeria’s CHAN Exit

Sudan 4-0 Nigeria: Three Notable Coaching Errors That Sealed Nigeria’s CHAN Exit

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria 0–4 Sudan: Tactical Errors Cost Super Eagles Dearly

Nigeria’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) hopes collapsed in humiliating fashion after a 4-0 defeat to Sudan, a result that eliminated the team with one group match still to play.

While individual mistakes — most notably from defender Leonard Ngenge — contributed to the scoreline, much of the damage stemmed from a series of avoidable tactical miscalculations by head coach Éric Chelle.

1. Lack of Penetration in the Final Third

For the opening half-hour, Nigeria enjoyed 61% possession and dictated the tempo, yet they failed to register a single shot on target. The attacking set-up, spearheaded by Alimi, often saw forwards receive the ball with their backs to goal and without support runs in behind. With minimal movement to stretch Sudan’s defence, the early territorial dominance produced no real scoring threat.

2. Risky Build-Up Leaving Defence Exposed

Chelle’s high full-back positioning left the back line repeatedly vulnerable to Sudan’s rapid counters. The tactic unravelled in the 25th minute, moments after Nigeria had a goal ruled out for offside. Sudan broke forward, Abdel Yagoub’s shot hit the crossbar, and Ngenge, under no pressure, turned the rebound into his own net. With no effective midfield shield, Sudan’s transition play cut through Nigeria with ease.

3. Failure to Adapt After Costly Errors

The own goal visibly rattled Ngenge, yet Chelle made no positional adjustments to protect him. Sudan capitalised again just before halftime, with Ngenge conceding a penalty for handball that Walieldin Khidir converted to make it 2-0. By persisting with the same defensive structure, Chelle allowed Sudan to repeatedly exploit the same weakness.

The defeat — Nigeria’s second in as many games — leaves them without a point in Group D and officially out of CHAN 2024 ahead of their final fixture against Congo.