Super Eagles Crash Out of CHAN 2024 in Historic Low Under Coach Éric Sékou Chelle
The Super Eagles B of Nigeria have suffered a shock early exit from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, bowing out at the group stage after two disappointing defeats.
Group Stage Results:
Senegal 🇸🇳 1–0 Nigeria 🇳🇬
Sudan 🇸🇩 4–0 Nigeria 🇳🇬
This marks one of the heaviest combined group-stage losses in the country’s CHAN history, with a total of five goals conceded and none scored.
From High Hopes to Heartbreak
The campaign began with cautious optimism under newly appointed coach Éric Sékou Chelle, who made history in January 2025 as the first non-Nigerian African to lead the Super Eagles. However, the team’s lack of cutting edge in attack and defensive lapses left them rooted at the bottom of Group D.
The opening match against defending champions Senegal ended in a narrow defeat, but hopes of redemption in the second game were dashed as Sudan ran riot, securing a 4–0 victory that sealed Nigeria’s fate.
About Coach Éric Sékou Chelle
Born: November 11, 1977, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Nationalities: Ivorian, Malian, French
Playing Career: Former centre-back with spells in France for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais. Represented Mali at international level.
Managerial Career: Coached GS Consolat, Martigues, Boulogne, Mali national team (reached AFCON 2023 quarter-finals), and MC Oran before taking charge of Nigeria in January 2025.
Known for his disciplined, high-pressing style of play, Chelle has vowed to rebuild confidence and refocus the team ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
What’s Next for Nigeria?
With the CHAN disappointment behind them, attention will now turn to rebuilding squad morale and finding solutions to glaring weaknesses exposed in the tournament. Fans will be eager to see how Chelle’s tactical approach evolves after this baptism of fire.
