Nigeria Vs Congo Redemption: Pride-Restoring Finale At CHAN 2024

On 19 August 2025, despite elimination from the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, Nigeria rediscovered some pride with a 2–0 win over Congo in their final Group D fixture in Dar es Salaam. Goals from Anas Yusuf (56’) and Sikiru Alimi (93’) symbolized a late resurgence after disappointing earlier performances.

Yet, with Sudan and Senegal drawing 0–0 in Kampala, Nigeria ultimately finished third on three points—just shy of qualification.

Alex Young Oyowah: Bright Spot on Debut

Amid the team’s exit, 20-year-old Alex Young Oyowah emerged as a standout. In his first start, he starred and earned the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award—an impressive debut that signaled his readiness to shine on bigger stages.

Tactical Discipline Under Pressure

Oyowah emphasized that his performance wasn’t just flair, but stemmed from trust in coach Eric Chelle’s tactics and disciplined execution under pressure. His attitude highlighted a refusal to bow out quietly, showcasing a pride-fueled fight that earned Nigeria their only win of the tournament.

A Rising Star for Nigerian Football

His breakout could mark the beginning of a promising international career—Oyowah not only walked away with an individual accolade, but also etched himself onto the radar of Nigerian football’s future stars.

Chelle’s Reflections: Consolation and Caution

Coach Eric Chelle expressed both pride and remorse. He praised the team’s technical ability and fighting spirit during the final match, yet lamented critical mistakes in the first two games, which ultimately cost them progression.

Playing for Honour, Not Survival

Chelle commended his young squad—his “young cubs”—for their resilience. Despite being eliminated, they played the final match for honour and refused to exit without showing their quality.

He also highlighted structural deficiencies, a poorly organized preparation schedule, and a patchwork squad, meaning Nigeria entered the tournament ill-prepared. Oyowah himself was only called up a week before departure, raising questions about planning for future tournaments.

Ngatsono’s Take: Lessons Learned

Congo coach Barthelemy Ngatsono likened Nigeria to a wounded lion that roared at the right moment. His young side lacked focus and was overpowered by Nigeria’s preparation, especially in physical conditioning and ball control.

Ngatsono echoed Chelle’s concerns about readiness, acknowledging that his team’s insufficient preparation was a key weakness. However, he remained hopeful, suggesting that the experience will serve as a valuable lesson for future editions.

This clash between two eliminated teams encapsulated contrasting ends of the development spectrum:

For Nigeria, it was a chance to restore pride, spotlight emerging talent, and underscore the importance of preparation.
For Congo, it served as a wake-up call, emphasizing that talent alone can’t substitute for readiness.

While both teams exit CHAN 2024 early, Nigeria leave with lessons in tactical fidelity, character, and the emergence of a new midfield prospect; Congo depart with painful truths about logistics, focus, and building for the future.