Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles have been handed a potential advantage ahead of their opening Group D clash at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), as defending champions Senegal have lost their first-choice goalkeeper, Idrissa Ndiaye, to injury.

Ndiaye, who plays for Génération Foot, was forced off during the Senegal Cup final, which his club won 1-0 against Jaraaf.

The injury has now ruled him out of the CHAN tournament, just days before Senegal face Nigeria in their opening fixture on August 5.

The setback is a significant blow to the Teranga Lions’ preparations, with Ndiaye widely regarded as a key figure in coach Souleymane Diallo’s squad.

In response, Diallo has called up Cheikh Lô Ndoye of Jaraaf Dakar as a late replacement. Ndoye, a consistent performer in the Senegalese Ligue 1, was not initially named in the final squad but will now join the team in Tanzania on August 4, just 24 hours before the clash with Nigeria.

Ndoye joins Marco Diouf (Teungueth FC) and Samba Mballo (US Gorée) as the goalkeeping options available to Senegal for this 8th edition of the CHAN, which is exclusively for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues.

Nigeria, aiming for a strong start in a tough group, will be hoping to capitalise on any disruption in the Senegalese camp. After their opener against the Super Eagles, the Teranga Lions will go on to face Congo on August 12 and Sudan on August 19.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Apart from the two interclub competitions, the African Nations Championship, reserved for citizens in the domestic leagues on the continent, offers a veritable tool to measure the relative strength of the various leagues.

For nearly two decades, Nigerian clubs have made little impact in both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup. In addition, the country is still in search of its first title in CHAN.

With the CHAN tournament yet to yield a championship title, this is a glaring gap in the country’s decorated football history.

The 2024 edition presents another chance. There is hope that the current squad, bolstered by ambition and national pride, can not only compete for the trophy but also produce individual brilliance that matches or surpasses Chikatara’s unforgettable hat-trick feat of the 2016 edition in Rwanda.

Another chapter has opened as the 2024 edition kicks off in three East African nations of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

With a strong pool of home-based players drawn by Eric Chelle from the NPFL, many are eager to showcase their skills on a continental platform.

For Remo Stars, who have nine players in the squad, replicating what the Stationery Stores did in 1968 in the Nigerian Olympic Games’ squad, it is an opportunity to also use the CHAN as part of preparation for the more laborious CAF Champions League.

The Nigerian handlers must ensure that the lessons from past editions inspire better preparation and mental focus.

The CHAN can also improve not just Nigeria’s footballing pedigree, but also the scouting networks that could help Nigerian domestic players and the NPFL clubs in identifying key talents.

One sour point in CHAN is the fact that the limited international exposure for many Nigerian players might pose a challenge in adapting to the tempo of CHAN.

As the group stage begins, all eyes are on the strikers. Will another “Kolanut Boy”, Chikatara of the Rwanda 2016 fame, emerge from the shadows?

Beyond the pursuit of silverware, CHAN remains a proving ground—a place where reputations are made, and careers can take off with just one unforgettable performance.

For Nigeria and the rest of the continent, CHAN 2024 offers a fresh script. Will a new hero rise and net the tournament’s fourth-ever hat-trick? Time—and goals—will tell.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

As the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 kicks off this weekend, defending champions Senegal will step onto East African soil with a clear mission: to retain their title and cement their status as a dominant force in African football.

 Their first hurdle? A heavyweight clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles B in what promises to be a pulsating group-stage opener.

Nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, Senegal’s locally based national team returns to the tournament with renewed vigour, guided by the tactical acumen of Coach Souleymane Diallo.

It marks only their third appearance in CHAN history—after outings in 2011 and 2022—but the West African nation already boasts an enviable record, having clinched their maiden title in the last edition.

Road to CHAN 2024: A Statement of Intent

Senegal booked their place at this year’s finals with a commanding performance in the qualifiers.

A 3-0 victory over Liberia in the first leg laid the foundation, and a controlled 1-1 draw in the return fixture completed the job.

The aggregate scoreline was not just a ticket to CHAN 2024, but a warning to the rest of the continent: the champions are back and as dangerous as ever.

Key Players to Watch

Among the rising stars in Senegal’s squad, Oumar Ba, a powerful forward from US Gorée, stands out.

Known for his aerial dominance, physical presence, and sharp finishing, Ba is expected to be the spearhead of the Lions’ attack.

 His ability to disrupt defences and seize scoring opportunities could be a decisive factor in tight matches.

Midfield dynamo Baye Assane Ciss also promises to play a critical role. With an eye for incisive passes and the discipline to marshal transitions, Ciss brings structure and creativity to the heart of the team.

 His performance against Nigeria’s compact midfield could tip the balance in this opening fixture.

The Diallo Blueprint

Coach Souleymane Diallo, formerly part of Senegal’s U20 coaching setup, has instilled a tactical identity built on high pressing, quick transitions, and fluid positional play.

 His preference for modern formations like the 4-3-3 allows for both defensive solidity and attacking flair.

Diallo’s influence is not limited to tactics; he has also championed the integration of young talent into the national structure, laying the groundwork for Senegal’s football future.

Challenges and Expectations

Despite their rich potential, Senegal faces the common CHAN challenge—limited international exposure for their home-based players.

However, their youthful exuberance, coupled with a strong team ethic, could be the catalyst for another deep run.

 Diallo’s men are not just chasing a trophy—they’re chasing history. No team has successfully defended the CHAN title since its inception in 2009.

Legacy and Aspiration

Senegal’s recent CHAN triumph in 2022 sparked the rise of several young stars, most notably Lamine Camara, who has since earned a move to AS Monaco and the prestigious CAF Young African Player of the Year award in both 2023 and 2024.

 It’s a testament to the tournament’s role in unearthing talent and to Senegal’s strategic investment in local football development.

Now, as the Lions of Teranga prepare to face Nigeria in one of the tournament’s headline fixtures, the stakes could not be higher.

For Senegal, this isn’t just a title defence—it’s a statement of sustained excellence.

Senegal at a Glance

• Nicknames: The Lions of Teranga
• CHAN Appearances: 2 (2011, 2022)
• Titles: 1 (2022)
• Best Finish: Champions (2022)
• First Match: vs. Nigeria, CHAN 2024 Group Stage

The roar of the champions will echo once more—will it be a repeat of glory or the start of a new chapter in CHAN history? All eyes turn to East Africa this weekend for the answer.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H