Senegal defeats Nigeria 1–0 in CHAN 2024 opener

# Senegal Edges Nigeria 1-0 in CHAN 2024 Opener

Defending champions Senegal kicked off their title defense with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nigeria in a thrilling Group D match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

# Match Highlights

- *Christian Gomis' Winner*: The only goal came in the 75th minute after Moctar Koïté's low cross found Gomis unmarked inside the box, and he calmly finished with his left foot.

- *Nigeria's Late Pressure*: The home-based Super Eagles pushed hard for an equalizer but couldn't find a way past Senegal's defense.

- *Early Signs of Control*: Senegal showed early dominance but had to weather initial pressure from Nigeria.

 

# Post-Match Reactions

- *Nigeria's Coach Éric Chelle*: Maintained a positive outlook, saying, "We'll take each game as it comes," with group matches against Congo and Sudan still ahead.

- *Senegal's Coach Souleymane Diallo*: Reiterated his team's ambition, saying, "We're not here to defend a trophy; we're here to win a new one."

# Key Takeaways

- *Senegal's Unbeaten Record*: The result extends Senegal's unbeaten record against West African opponents at CHAN.

- *Consistent Defensive Discipline*: Senegal's sixth 1-0 win in the tournament's history highlights their strong defensive discipline.

- *Competitive Nature*: The opening match showcased the competitive nature and pride involved in CHAN fixtures, especially between regional rivals.